School Beverage Guidelines

The American Beverage Association & The Alliance for a Healthier Generation

America’s leading beverage companies and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation—a joint initiative of the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation—are bringing the National School Beverage Guidelines to schools across America.

We’re providing students with a range of lower-calorie, smaller-portion beverage options. Full-calorie sodas are being removed from all schools. It’s part of a broader effort to teach children the importance of a balanced diet and exercise.

On September 10, 2008, the second progress report on implementation of the guidelines was issued. School Beverage Guidelines Progress Report 2007-2008 by Dr. Robert Wescott, an independent economist, found that after two year sof implementation, the guidelines continue to cut calories in schools. Industry is delivering on its commitment to to provide lower-calorie, nutrtious beverages in smaller portion sizes.

The National School Beverage Guidelines are common sense, supported by science and responsive to concerns about nutrition in schools. The guidelines were developed using nutrition science, including the American Heart Association’s Dietary Guidelines for Healthy Children and 2006 Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations. No wonder the guidelines have been endorsed by 88% of doctors nationwide (Public Opinion Strategies survey, May 2007).

For more information on how you can support the School Beverage Guidelines, visit www.schoolbeverages.com.

Our School Beverage Guidelines provide the following beverages:

Elementary Schools

• Bottled water
• Up to 8 ounce servings of milk and 100% juice
  • Fat-free or low-fat regular and flavored milk and nutritionally equivalent (per USDA) milk alternatives with up to 150 calories/ 8 ounces
  • 100% juice with no added sweeteners, up to 120 calories / 8 ounces, and with at least 10% of the recommended daily value for three or more vitamins and minerals 

Middle School

• Same as elementary school, except juice and milk may be sold in 10 ounce servings
• As a practical matter, if middle school and high school students have shared access to areas on a common campus or in common buildings, then the school community has the option to adopt the high school standard

High School

• Bottled water
• No - or low - calorie beverages with up to 10 calories / 8 ounces
• Up to 12 ounce servings of milk, 100% juice and certain other drinks
  • Fat-free or low-fat regular and flavored milk and nutritionally equivalent (per USDA) milk alternatives with up to 150 calories / 8 ounces*
  • 100% juice with no added sweeteners, up to 120 calories / 8 ounces, and with at least 10% of the recommended daily value for three or more vitamins and minerals
  • Other drinks with no more than 66 calories / 8 ounces
• At least 50% of non-milk beverages must be water and no- or low-calorie options

Time of Day

• These guidelines apply to all beverages sold on school grounds during the regular and extended school day.
• The extended school day includes before and after school activities like clubs, yearbook, band, student government, drama and childcare/latchkey programs.
• These guidelines do not apply to school-related events where parents and other adults are part of an audience or are selling beverages as boosters during intermission, as well as immediately before or after an event. Examples of these events include school plays and band concerts.