The proposed law change, laid out in a recently published consultation document, aims to reverse a trend revealed by research showing that dental decay is now the most common disease reported among children in New Zealand.
Students could be offered plain water, reduced or low-fat milk, as well as unsweetened reduced or low-fat plant-based milks - including soy, rice, almond and oat - with added calcium and vitamin B12.
While such a move may help, most schools have dairies outside their gates promoting sugary drinks. Should they also be banned from selling sugary drinks to students?