Bill could require restaurants to serve milk, juice or water in kids' meals

Designed to improve health awareness and help the dairy industry, Pepsi and Coca-Cola could be out for young eaters.

Sponsored by Rep. Jeff Brand (DFL-St. Peter), HF3030, as amended, would require restaurants to serve water, milk or juice as the default beverage for kid’s meals. Brand cited studies that found the average American drinks a bathtub full of pop annually – 30 gallons – and half of all Americans eat out weekly vs. 26% in the 1970s.

Eating habits develop when a person is young, and with youth drinking more sugary beverages and eating out more frequently, this would help parents make healthier choices for children, Brand said.

“I really think it would benefit a lot of people across the state, not just children, but farmers,” he told the House Agriculture and Food Finance and Policy Division.

The bill was laid over Thursday for future consideration. Its companion, SF2797, has been referred to the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy Committee. Sen. Karla Bigham (DFL-Cottage Grove) is the Senate sponsor.

Rep. Jeff Brand

Brand stressed the bill wouldn’t be a mandate; customers could request a different beverage.

Originally, his bill would have required restaurants to make milk the default, but he amended it to also allow 100% juice or chocolate milk. A nondairy milk alternative with no more than 130 calories per container would also be allowed, as would sparkling water.

The bill is also designed to boost Minnesota dairy farmers, as demand for dairy has cooled and prices have dropped: 315 dairy operations went out of business last year.

“We dairy farmers have been struggling financially,” said Janet Bremer, a sixth-generation dairy farmer from Hastings. “Minnesota dairy farmers need your help.”

Bremer said her husband came up with the idea last year after reading about such a law in another state. She noted milk is the state’s official drink and has nine essential nutrients.

Vayong Moua, director of health advocacy for Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota, said such a law could help prevent diabetes because one in three children and teenagers eat fast food daily.

However, he expressed concern about allowing chocolate milk, which he said has six teaspoons of sugar in each cup.

Ben Wogsland, director of government relations for Hospitality Minnesota, said the group appreciates the spirit of the bill and supports healthy choices for kids. He said Minnesota restaurants have been leaders, and the vast majority already include such options.