Metro

Lawmakers want to ban baloney from NYC public schools

Lawmakers want to ban baloney and other processed meats from being served in New York City public schools.

City Council members introduced what is being dubbed the “Ban the Baloney” resolution at the request of Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, who has switched to a plant-based diet to manage his diabetic condition.

“We cannot continue feeding our children substances that are scientifically proven to increase their chances of cancer later in life,” Adams said.

“Chicken nuggets and sloppy joes are in the same class of substances as cigarettes. We know that we would never give our children cigarettes to smoke, so there’s absolutely no reason why we should continue poisoning our children’s health with processed foods.”

The Council members advancing the resolution — which is strictly advisory — include Fernando Cabrera of the Bronx, Helen Rosenthal of Manhattan and Justin Brannan of Brooklyn.





In 2015, the World Trade Health Organization classified processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen, citing scientific evidence that processed meats such as bacon, ham, hot dogs, sausages, and some deli meats can increase risk of a variety of diseases, including diabetes, multiple cancers, and respiratory illnesses.

Resolution 238 notes that the Department of Education serves around 950,000 meals to students daily, including offerings containing processed meats.

Councilman Cabrera said, “I’m introducing this resolution today to protect the health and well-being of New York City’s children. On a personal note, I made the choice to adopt a plant-based diet to protect my own health, so I firmly believe that we must do all that we can to ensure that our children eat properly.”

Council members Brannan and Rosenthal have also eliminated meat from their diets.





Mayor de Blasio’s office said he’s weighing the proposal.

“This Administration is committed to providing all our students with free healthy and nutritious meals. We launched the Meatless Monday program and are reviewing this proposal,” said mayoral spokeswoman Olivia Lapeyrolerie.

In 2015, less than 20 percent of New York City children aged six to 12 ate more than five items of fruits and vegetables a day, and one in every three children nationwide is now either overweight or obese, the lawmakers said.

Healthy eating at schools, particularly a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, has been proven to improve children’s test scores, attention spans, and energy levels, the lawmakers said.





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