US News

SCHOOLKIDS IN FOR SUGAR SHOCK

City schoolkids can check their sweet tooth at the door when they return to classes next fall.

In an aggressive attempt to combat the growing obesity epidemic, the Department of Education is setting strict guidelines for drinks sold in schools — with a maximum of 10 calories per 8-ounce drink in elementary and middle schools and 25 calories per 8-ounce drink in high schools.

“Roughly half the kids in New York City are obese, and sweetened beverages are one of the main factors fueling obesity,” said Eric Goldstein, the department’s chief of school support services.

“We decided . . . to try to tackle that problem.”

Under the new rules, schools will also expel juices and other beverages with artificial colors or flavors — including some of those sold by the current drinks vendor, Snapple, under its expiring $40 million contract.

That contract came under heavy criticism in 2004 after it was expanded without competitive bid to include all of the city’s government offices.

It’s not just syrupy sweet beverages getting the boot.

Snack-vending machines at the city’s schools will also face tough new health restrictions.

Treats must be no more than 200 calories, have less than 200 mg. of sodium and less than 10 percent saturated fat.

The low-cal craze comes as education officials try to find a new vendor for New York City’s 865 schools, which contain 2,235 vending machines. A dozen school administrative buildings are also getting the new healthier eating options.

The vending contracts will go either to one company that can provide both the drinks and snacks, or two companies that will do each separately.

“The NYCDOE encourages the awarded vendor[s] to develop new products that meet these nutritional guidelines,” the proposal to prospective vendors reads.

In addition to helping kids battle bulge, officials also want to expand education coffers.

The Snapple deal gave the city’s fitness and sports programs an extra $28 million through fiscal year 2008.

Besides exclusive access to thousands of schoolkids, the new deals will even let the companies sample or test new products with kids whose families have given the OK and for beverage makers to send promotional materials home.

yoav.gonen@nypost.com