New law in Baltimore bars sodas from kids’ menus

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A new ordinance in Baltimore bars city restaurants from including sodas and other sugary drinks on kids’ menus.

Baltimore’s health department says the measure went into effect Wednesday. Water, milk and 100 per cent fruit juices must now be the default beverage choices for kids’ meals at city eateries.

Children can still drink soda at city restaurants if an accompanying adult orders one for them.

Dr. Leana Wen is Baltimore’s health commissioner. She says the law “will help families make the healthy choice the easy choice.”

An advocacy group called Sugar Free Kids Maryland says Baltimore is now the biggest U.S. city and the first on the East Coast to pass this kind of measure.

Baltimore health officials say seven California cities and Lafayette, Colorado, have enacted similar ordinances.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today