We saw in the news recently that some Maryland lawmakers want to ban soda from children’s menus.  Apparently they believe that parents need the government to help them raise their children.  As Julie Gunlock with the Independent Women’s Forum (IWF) points out in a recent column, these lawmakers sadly believe that “navigating a restaurant menu can be tough for some parents” and that it’s their job to help parents because “everything is hard and difficult and everyone yearns for the government to swoop in and make it all better.”

We support moms and dads, and believe that they know what’s best for their children.  It’s not the government’s job to decide what’s best for our families – that’s up to parents.  Politicians should focus on what matters most – education, jobs and the economy – and leave the grocery shopping to us.  Gunlock writes:

“What isn't silly is a government so willing to actually tell a restaurant what it can and cannot put on its menus. These food fascists make it all sound okay because they say ‘it’s for the children’ and ‘we’re doing it to make kids healthy’ but no matter the reason, this is an intrusion into how a privately owned business is run. Where does that end? What other ‘unhealthy’ foods will the government ban for children and adults alike? What other ‘unhealthy’ behaviors will the government ban?”

We at Sip & Savor know that if we want to get serious about obesity, it starts with education – not laws and regulation.  What you eat, drink and feed your family is your choice and not the government’s.

Our member companies are empowering consumers to make the choices that are right for them.  We put clear calorie information on the front of every bottle, can and pack we make, and – through our Balance Calories Initiative – we’re providing even more calorie information on more than 3 million company-controlled vending machines, self-serve fountain equipment, and retail coolers in convenience stores, restaurants and other locations.

For more information on how to empower consumers to make the choices that are right for them, visit DeliveringChoices.org.