CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Chicago City Council passed an ordinance Wednesday that brings the city in line with the state concerning healthy drinks served at restaurants with kids’ meals.
The state’s Serve Kids Better Act was signed into law last year prohibiting the marketing of kids’ meals with sugary drinks.
For Chicago to enforce the law, the municipal code needed to be updated to mirror the state law. That’s now been done with no objection from the beverage or restaurant industries.
“We are pleased to carry out this new menu standard for kids’ meals,” said Mayor Lightfoot, in a statement. “The health community and restaurant and beverage industries came together to back legislation that pairs healthy marketing with parental choice.”
Under the ordinance, the beverage standards allow for unsweetened still or sparkling water, 100% fruit or vegetable juice, or dairy and non-dairy milks (including chocolate milk) that meet certain calorie requirements in kids’ meals.
Parents could still ask for soda or other sugary drinks.
Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner, Dr. Allison Arwady said, in a statement, “Forming healthy habits early is important for lifelong health. This ordinance will help ensure the healthy choice is the default choice for kids.”
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