Chewing Gum Commercial

May 3, 2005

Click on picture for Channel One ad.

Federal regulations prohibit the sale of certain
foods, determined to be of minimal nutritional value, in the school
foodservice area during meal periods.

In Texas, chewing gum is considered a "food
of minimal nutritional value" or a FMNV.

So why is Texas and other states that have classified
chewing gum as a FMNV still allowing the relentless advertising
of chewing gum and bubble gum in their classrooms?

This video clip from Channel One News ran several
times in Texas and other states. It is one very long promotion
of Wrigley’s product and secondarily a music group called Relient
K.

A public school that showed this motivational film
(aka "commercial") to students, endorsed this product.
Taxpayers, whether they are parents or not, should be outraged
that precious school time and resources are being wasted in such
a manner just so Wrigley can sell more sugared gum and Channel
One can make more advertising revenue.

From the Texas School Nutrition Policy:

VI. FOODS OF MINIMAL NUTRITIONAL
VALUE (FMNV)

A. Restricted Foods

Foods and beverages that are restricted from sale to students are classified
in
the following four categories:

3. Chewing Gum: Any flavored products from natural or synthetic
gums and other ingredients that form an insoluble mass for chewing.