Nutrition improves at public schools

State officials report progress in serving more nutritious food and drinks in public schools.

Education and health officials said in a news release Monday that Tennessee is now first in the country in the percentage of public schools that do not sell sports drinks. Citing figures from the Centers for Disease Control, the percentage is now 66.1 percent.

The state is now second, at 74 percent, in the number of schools that do not sell soft drinks or fruit juice that is not 100 percent juice.

State Health Commissioner Susan R. Cooper said the results come from “determined efforts to ensure that only healthy food options are available in Tennessee schools.’’