Adam Putnam, who will soon take over as Florida's agriculture commissioner, has put a halt to the state's effort to ban chocolate milk and most other high-sugar drinks in Florida schools.
His action, in the form of a letter sent to the State Board of Education, delays indefinitely the board's ongoing debate on whether to rid public schools of the kinds of sweet drinks that medical experts say contribute to childhood obesity and diabetes.
Putnam said he thinks a broader approach to student nutrition is needed — not just limits on sugar-sweetened beverages such as flavored milk and sports drinks.
He recently asked the Board of Education to put off talks until he is sworn in next month and can weigh in on the issue.
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