Chocolate Milk Consequences: A Pilot Study Evaluating the Consequences of Banning Chocolate Milk in School Cafeterias

Hanks, Andrew S., David R. Just, and Brian Wansink (2014), “Chocolate Milk Consequences: A Pilot Study Evaluating the Consequences of Banning Chocolate Milk in School Cafeterias,” PLOS ONE, 9:e91022.

23 Pages Posted: 13 Apr 2014 Last revised: 29 Apr 2017

See all articles by Andrew Hanks

Andrew Hanks

The Ohio State University

David R. Just

Cornell University - Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management

Brian Wansink

Retired - Cornell University

Date Written: April 11, 2014

Abstract

Currently, 68.3% of the milk available in schools is flavored, with chocolate being the most popular (61.6% of all milk). If chocolate milk is removed from a school cafeteria, what will happen to overall milk selection and consumption?

Methods: In a before-after study in 11 Oregon elementary schools, flavored milk – which will be referred to as chocolate milk – was banned from the cafeteria. Milk sales, school enrollment, and data for daily participation in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) were compared year to date.

Results: Total daily milk sales declined by 9.9% (p<0.01). Although white milk increased by 161.2 cartons per day (p<0.001), 29.4% of this milk was thrown away. Eliminating chocolate milk was also associated with 6.8% fewer students eating school lunches, and although other factors were also involved, this is consistent with the notion of psychological reactance.

Conclusions: Removing chocolate milk from school cafeterias may reduce calorie and sugar consumption, but it may also lead students to take less milk overall, drink less (waste more) of the white milk they do take, and no longer purchase school lunch. Food service managers need to carefully weigh the costs and benefits of eliminating chocolate milk and should consider alternative options that make white milk more convenient, attractive, and normal to choose. Two solutions include: 1) Putting the white milk in the front of the cooler, and 2) and making sure that 1/3 to 1/2 of all the milk is white.

Keywords: National School Lunch Program, Childhood Nutrition, Sugar Intake, chocolate milk, reactance behavioral economics, banning

Suggested Citation

Hanks, Andrew and Just, David R. and Wansink, Brian, Chocolate Milk Consequences: A Pilot Study Evaluating the Consequences of Banning Chocolate Milk in School Cafeterias (April 11, 2014). Hanks, Andrew S., David R. Just, and Brian Wansink (2014), “Chocolate Milk Consequences: A Pilot Study Evaluating the Consequences of Banning Chocolate Milk in School Cafeterias,” PLOS ONE, 9:e91022., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2423801 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2423801

Andrew Hanks

The Ohio State University ( email )

130A Campbell Hall
1787 Neil Ave.
Columbus, OH OH 43210
United States

David R. Just

Cornell University - Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management ( email )

Ithaca, NY
United States
607-255-2086 (Phone)
607-255-9984 (Fax)

Brian Wansink (Contact Author)

Retired - Cornell University ( email )

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