Washington Post front page article on fight to keep soy milk out of schools

[Guest guest]

Washington Post front page article on fight

to keep soy milk out of schools

 

 

On the front page of the Sunday, April 14 Washington

Post, reporter Emily Wax covers the federal rules that

keep soy milk out of schools. She tells us:

 

" While many school systems would like to offer soy

milk as a choice, the U.S. Department of Agriculture

won't reimburse them for it except in cases of medical

need. Cow's milk is required by law as part of the

federally assisted meal plan, which some school

systems depend on for more than half of their

cafeteria funds.

 

" This is part of America's multibillion-dollar 'milk

war,' a fierce debate between the dairy industry and

its growing list of critics which includes mainstream

researchers, low-fat-diet advocates and vegetarian

groups. They say soy milk is lower in fat and

cholesterol, does not have the hormones found in cow's

milk and is easier for many people, especially

minority children, to digest. Medical studies have

shown that African Americans, Latinos, and Asians all

have a higher incidence than the general population of

lactose intolerance, which means they cannot easily

digest cow's milk. "

 

She shares a nice quote from Julia McMillian, a

professor of pediatrics at Johns Hopkins University,

" It's ironic that there is promotion of milk to

students of all colors at a time when these students

have to sit in school with bloated stomachs and gas. "

 

Here is another great quote - this one from Lisa

McGary, a registered nutritionist at George Mason

University. She says of vanilla soy milk served

at her school:

" The students love it. I think it would be really

important for Asian American and African American kids

in public schools to be able to be served this,

especially those who may be getting their only meal a

day at school.

But without the reimbursements, the public schools

can't do it. "

 

Wax explains that according to Barbara Adams, a

dietitian for the D.C. system, " the District's schools

would like to serve soy milk, but with 90 percent of

the lunch budget coming from federal funds, they need

a softening of the rules. " She quotes Adams directly:

 

" I think we're at the mercy of the policies that come

from USDA. If we are not going to be reimbursed, we

are not going to have much of a choice. "

 

Wax mentions the " constant accusations that the dairy

industry and the USDA have too cozy a relationship. "

She continues, " The USDA selects which foods Americans

should eat -- not only in school lunches but also in

the

food pyramid -- and then promotes those foods.

 

She tells us,

" A federal district court judge ruled in October 2000

that the USDA violated federal conflict-of-interest

laws in considering and appointing

people with meat- and dairy-industry ties to its

dietary guidelines committee. The lawsuit had been

filed by the Physicians' Committee for Responsible

Medicine, a nonprofit vegetarian group that has ties

to People

for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. "

 

I have selected a few sections from the Post's

thorough and interesting article which you can read in

its entirety on line at:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44863-2002Apr13.html

 

The article, so prominently displayed in, arguably,

the nation's most influential newspaper, presents a

wonderful opportunity for letters to the editor in

favor of plant based diets.

 

You'll find valuable information on the subject at

PCRM's website, www.pcrm.org. You can read

fascinating background information about the

abovementioned law suit at:

http://www.pcrm.org/news/lawsuit_summary.html.

Or on the same website, you'll find the answer to the

question, " Shouldn't I drink Milk? " at

http://www.pcrm.org/health/Info_on_Veg_Diets/milk.html

 

There is also a great summary of the effects of cow's

milk consumption, with regard to the animals, the

environment, and human health on PETA's

http://www.dumpdairy.com/index2.html

 

The Washington Post takes letters to the editor at:

letters

 

All letters must include the writer's full name,

address, and day and evening phone numbers.

 

 

 

 

 

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