City Council
MEETING DATE: 11/8/2017
TITLE:
Title
Healthy Default Beverages in Kid's Meals
End
FROM:
Charlie McClendon, City Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council provide second reading and adopt an ordinance requiring restaurants offering children's meals to provide, as a default beverage, milk or water.
Body
BACKGROUND:
MPT Pettis requested a discussion item on the topic of requiring restaurants offering kid's meals to provide, as a default beverage, a non-sugared drink such as milk or water. On August 23, 2017 Council discussed the topic in study session and asked staff to solicit input from the Chamber of Commerce and to prepare an ordinance for future consideration. The proposed ordinance was introduced and received first reading on October 25, 2017.
DISCUSSION:
Some jurisdictions have adopted ordinances requiring restaurants offering kid's meals to provide, as a default beverage, a non-sugared drink such as milk or water. An ordinance along these lines was discussed during the study session on August 23, 2017.
Public health, specifically fighting childhood obesity, is typically cited as the public policy reason for such an ordinance.
As requested by Council, the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce conducted a survey of their restaurant members. The survey was completed by 40 restaurants. Of the 40 who responded, twenty indicated that they offer a kid's meal that includes a drink. Of the twenty offering a kid's meal all twenty indicated that their current offering includes a sugary drink. All twenty also answered affirmatively that they would be willing to substitute a sugar-free drink such as milk or water. The survey summary is attached.
An ordinance has been prepared and was introduced and received first reading on October 25, 2017. It is ready for second reading and adoption tonight. Key provisions of the ordinance include the following:
A. A restaurant that sells a children's meal that includes a beverage shall make the default beverage offered with the children's meal one of the following:
(1) Water, sparkling water, or flavored water, with no added natural or artificial sweeteners.
(2) Milk or non-dairy milk alternatives, such as soy milk or almond milk.
B. Nothing in this Section prohibits a restaurant from selling, or a customer from purchasing, a substitute or alternative beverage instead of the default beverage offered with a children's meal, if requested by the purchaser of the children's meal.
C. All restaurants shall complete an initial self-certification certifying whether they offer children's meals and if so, certifying that they comply with the provisions of this Section. Subsequently, restaurants that sell children's meals shall complete an annual self-certification, certifying that they comply with the provisions of this Section, as may be modified from time to time at the discretion of the City.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Some staff work will be required to obtain certifications from the restaurants and provide enforcement. This will be handled by existing staff.
ATTACHMENTS:
Ordinance
Chamber of Commerce Survey