Riga, Nov. 1 (2007) - A comprehensive ban on the sale of junk food in Latvia's state schools went into force on Wednesday as part of the country's drive to tackle children's eating habits.
School shops and cafeterias in Latvia will no longer be able to sell soft drinks, candy bars, potato chips and chewing gum. Items containing artificial flavorings and colorings will also be banned from sale in the country's primary and secondary schools.
The government adopted the ban in August (2007) based on reports from doctors that an increasing number of Latvian children were overweight and seeking medical help due to digestive problems.
Many school kids were skipping the cafeteria and using their lunch money to buy carbonated soft drinks and potato chips.
European health experts have said Latvia is the first European Union country to introduce a sweeping ban on junk food sales in state schools. Many other E.U. member states offer a set of recommendations but have stopped short of prohibiting sales.
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As reported from www.flexnews.com.
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