Del. Joseline A. Pena-Melnyk's recent commentary rightly recognizes that childhood obesity is a serious public health issue ("Childhood obesity: an epidemic," March 31).
But the call for the passage of legislation that imposes new mandates on Maryland's restaurants raises the prices of kids' meals and restricts parental choices; it will do nothing to address childhood obesity.
The beverage industry is providing real solutions and more choices for all ages. The industry is committed to reducing calories, and its track record proves it.
The industry has shipped 90 percent fewer beverage calories to schools across the country since 2004. It's also labeled all its products with the number of calories on the front of bottles or cans so consumers can make the choice that's right for them.
The industry is offering consumers more low- and zero-calorie options than ever before. In fact, 45 percent of all non-alcoholic beverages sold today have zero calories.
And it is supporting physical activity programs in Maryland communities. The American Beverage Association recently launched an integrated consumer awareness and engagement program that talks to teens and their parents about the importance of balancing physical activity with what they drink and eat.
And it has launched a national, multi-year effort in partnership with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to reduce beverage calories consumed per person by 20 percent by 2025.
These are serious steps that are addressing childhood obesity in a strategic way and show how we are making progress without imposing new mandates on businesses, raising prices or curbing the power of parents to make decisions.
Ellen Valentino, Annapolis
The writer is executive vice president of the MD-DE-DC Beverage Association.