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Dr. Kim Mulvihill ReportingFormer President Bill Clinton is once again leading an effort to fight childhood obesity. Earlier this year he brokered a deal with beverage companies to take most soft drinks out of schools. Today he announced a new deal with major snack food companies.
This deal won't necessarily keep unhealthy snacks out of schools completely, but President Clinton says it's a first step to creating a healthier generation.
Mr. Clinton brought together five competing snack food companies. Together they announced they're creating new standards that will reduce the fat, salt and sugar in snacks sold in schools. Kraft, Mars, Dannon, Campbell soup and Pepsi (which also owns Frito-lay) have all signed on.
Mars' "Snickers" bars will be banned by the new guidelines, but the company has agreed to make a whole new line of healthy snacks. Snack-makers say it's about more than just making money:
John Compton, CEO, Pepsico North America: "We are caring fathers and mothers and understand our responsibility to encourage children to choose healthy lifestyles."
The snack food industry as a whole isn't on board. Their association says changing behavior is also a big part of fighting obesity.
Lisa Katic, Snack Food Association: "When kids are sitting at a computer or watching TV and they're constantly eating, it's that behavior which is what we would want to change, not look at specifically the food they're eating."
There is one small glitch, schools and distributors aren't part of this agreement and they are the ones who actually own and fill the vending machines. They can put whatever they want into their machines. Clinton's group say it will work with them to encourage them to select the new and healthier items.
