July 18, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Flavored Milk Ban Considered at Santa Monica Schools:

At their July 20 meeting, members of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District’s (SMMUSD) Board of Education began considering whether to ban flavored milk from all meals served in the district. .

A group of parents had asked the board to ban flavored milk at their June 16 meeting because of concerns that the added sugar in flavored milk is unhealthy for children. At the July 20 meeting one of these parents indicated they have already gathered 1,000 signatures on an online petition supporting the ban. The parent’s request comes on the heels of a ban of all flavored milk in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) on June 14 due to similar concerns.

Districts nation-wide are looking at teaching healthier eating habits at school because of the increase in childhood obesity which has more than tripled in the last 30 years according to the district staff report presented at the board meeting.

The district’s Director of Food and Nutrition Services, Orlando Griego, told the board during his presentation that the district has been offering flavored milk as part of its meal services since the early 1980s. In the 2010-2011 academic year, 440,861 units of milk were offered. Students had a choice of one percent fat non-flavored milk, non-fat unflavored milk, and non-fat flavored milk. Students chose to drink flavored milk 76 percent of the time.

Griego noted that the federal dietary guidelines for 2010, which are updated every five years, state that “an example of nutrient-dense foods containing added sugars which can improve palatability include fat-free chocolate milk.”

The district’s Nutrition Specialist, Dona Richwine, explained that the non-fat chocolate milk currently being served in the district contains a total of 20 grams of sugar and that eight of those grams are added sugar because it is flavored. She also pointed out that milk is a nutrient dense food that contains Vitamins A and D, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and riboflavin. Calcium intake is of critical importance in growing children because of their need for the development of healthy bone mass. She also stressed, “when you remove milk [from someone’s diet] you remove nutrients that are not that easily replaced.”

Richwine also emphasized that when a two-year study in seven school districts reviewed the effect of removing flavored milk from 58 schools, actual consumption of milk dropped by 35 percent.

Physicians who are also parents in the district gave most of the public input. Their consensus was summed up when Morris Salem, a pediatric cardiologist and a Franklin Elementary School parent stated, “Chocolate milk contains a lot of empty calories. Milk is sweet enough as it is and it doesn’t need added sugar. We need to break the cycle and take empty fat and sugar calories out. If the LAUSD can do this why can’t we?”

Salem also criticized the district’s presentation by saying that the slide show was misleading and inaccurate since many of the studies were done outside of Southern California. In his view, the health issues in Southern California pertaining to a ban on flavored milk are different from other regions in the nation.

“We need to provide healthy choices for our kids,” emphasized Chris Goddard, a parent. “Forty-eight school districts in the nation have eliminated flavored milk.”

School board members had varying views. Board member Oscar de la Torre favored the ban.

“This is an opportunity to make a quick decision that will make an impact by increasing awareness,” said de la Torre. He explained that that this could be a first step in raising awareness on changing the culture about what foods are being served at district schools. His view was supported by Board member Ralph Mechur.

“What are the unintended consequences?” asked Board President Jose Escarce, who wants things “to stay where we are.” He was concerned about the study that showed that when flavored milk was removed, milk consumption dropped by students at a critical time in their development.

Two other board members, Nimish Patel and Ben Allen, called for more information from district staff before they could make a decision.

“We need opinions from dietitians and nutritionists and information on best practices in other districts,” said Allen.

The board will vote on whether to ban flavored milk on Aug. 24.

in News
<>Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays at...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Film Review: Superman

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

“This movie is packed with storyline, Superman lore, meaningful objects, and action.” writes Kathryn Whitney Boole Rated PG-13129 MinutesReleased July...

Multiple Drug Arrests Reported in Palisades Park in Recent Weeks

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

SMPD Reported Several of the Arrests Between June 29 and July 5 The Santa Monica Police Department reported several drug-related...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

SMPD to Conduct Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Operation on Friday

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The focus will be on speeding, illegal turns, failing to yield or provide right of way to cyclists or walkers,...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

LAPD Seeks Missing 63-Year-Old Man Known to Frequent Playa Vista

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

His family last heard from him via a group text on June 22 The Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons...

Santa Monica Offers City-Owned Properties for Affordable Housing Development

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The move aims to address the city’s Regional Housing Need Assessment of 8,895 units, with a goal of producing at...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...