The Denver Metropolis Council on Tuesday permitted a brand new legislation requiring eating places that promote combo meals for youngsters to listing solely milk, water or milk substitutes like almond milk because the default drink choices in these meals.
Candy drinks like soda, juice and flavored milk can nonetheless be supplied by request, however by July 1, 2025, each restaurant in Denver — from quick meals chains to impartial diners — should alter their menus to take away these as listed choices for youths meals if they provide them.
The laws zeroes in on curbing the well being dangers of sugary drinks, Councilman Chris Hinds, one of many invoice’s sponsors, stated in short feedback forward of Tuesday’s vote. The ordinance passes unanimously as a part of the council’s consent agenda.
Hinds pushed again on the notion that measure takes away decisions from customers.
“The thought right here is to nudge children into doing the best factor, to nudge mother and father into serving to children to do the best factor,” he stated. “On the finish of the day, if a dad or mum desires to present their children soda, orange juice or flavored milk they’ll be capable of do this.”
Denver joins metro-area cities Lafayette, Longmont and Golden in having ordinances governing drink choices for youths. The states of California, Delaware and Hawaii even have comparable legal guidelines.
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