Mass. Limits Junk Food In Schools

Massachusetts public health regulators have approved regulations to limit the sale of sugary soft drinks, salty and calorie-packed snacks, and even white bread sandwiches from public schools.

The rules approved Wednesday in response to concerns about overweight students would apply to a la carte lines, snack shops, and vending machines, but not to the main cafeteria line. They would apply during the school day and a half-hour before and after classes.

The rules need the approval of the state Public Health Council, an appointed panel of doctors and experts, which is expected to consider them at a spring meeting. They would take effect in 2012.

Jill Carter, executive director of the Health and Wellness Department in Boston's schools, tells The Boston Globe students can't learn properly when full of junk food.