Healthy Kids’ Meal Beverage Ordinance
The Healthy Kids’ Meal Beverage Ordinance took effect on January 1, 2023, and requires that restaurants in New Orleans that serve a children’s meal only offer plain water, nonfat or low fat unflavored milk, or 6.75 oz of 100% fruit juice, as the default beverages with any children’s meal.
FAQ
Does a restaurant need to remove beverages not defined as default beverages from the children menu?
Yes. Restaurants must remove all beverages that are not plain water, 100% fruit juice and low fat milk from their kid's menu or kid's section. Only these 3 options are permitted on on printed menus, digital menus, or menu boards.
Can a restaurant still sell soda with a children meal upon request?
Yes. The ordinance does not prohibit a customer from ordering an alternative beverage instead of default beverage listed in childrens menu, and does not prohibit the restaurant from honoring the substitution.
Can a restaurant put soda somewhere else on the menu?
Yes. Soda and other non-default beverage options can still be listed on the regular menu, just not with the children meal or on the children's menu. If a children’s menu is offered, the restaurant should list options for 100% fruit juice, low fat milk, and plain water.
Are restaurants required to sell children's meals or include a drink?
No and no. Restaurants can choose to not sell a children's meal option. If they do sell a children's meal, they can choose to sell it without any drinks.
Can a restaurant list "your choice of beverage" with the children's menu?
Yes, as long as the printed menu clarifies that the choices available are low-fat milk, 100% juice, and water. A generic "your choice of beverage" wording with no beverage options specified is not compliant, even if the person taking orders is trained on what the default beverages are. General words like "juice and milk" are also not compliant. Restaurants should specify that the milk is low-fat or non-fat, and that the juice is 100% juice.
Who can I reach out to for assistance?
Please email chronicdisease@nola.gov with any questions or concerns.
Complaints
To report violations of this ordinance, complete the form below.
If provided, name and contact information will only be used to contact the complainant to provide information on follow up actions taken by the New Orleans Health Department.