California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to ban all sales of junk food in California schools and fill vending machines with fresh fruit, vegetables and milk.
“First of all, we in California this year are introducing legislation that would ban all the sale of junk food in the schools,” Schwarzenegger said, speaking at a bodybuilding event named after him, reported by The Associated Press.
Schwarzenegger’s comments came during a question-and-answer session with fans, when a questioner asked how he plans to combat youth obesity.
Aides said later that the governor supports a bill by Democratic state senator Martha Escutia that would ban soft drinks at public schools, and that the administration hopes to develop a more comprehensive legislative package dealing with snack foods.
“I wouldn’t say we’re going to ban all” junk food, Schwarzenegger chief of staff Pat Clarey said. “We just are looking at additional bills that will deal with snack food at high schools … we’re looking for healthy snacks.”
