The Louisville City Council has approved the Healthy Drinks in Kids’ Meals Ordinance, which says that any restaurant in the city that sells a children’s meal must make the default beverage be milk, a non-dairy alternative or still or sparkling water with no added sugar, according to a press release.

However, if residents want to pay extra, they can still purchase sugary drinks on the side.

The Louisville Healthy Kids coalition — a group of doctors, local parents and nonprofit groups such as Community Food Share — spearheaded the ordinance, which was approved on Tuesday. It is slated to go into effect on April 1, 2025. The group’s mission is to reduce chronic disease by improving children’s health in Louisville, according to the release.

“As a health care professional, I have seen the effects of the excessive sugar consumption on children, including borderline diabetes and fatty liver disease,” said Seth Kramer, a local physician and coalition member. “By removing sugary drinks from menus, we prioritize the health and well-being of our community’s youth and promote a culture of wellness and mindful choices.”

Louisville Healthy Kids coalition’s efforts extend beyond reducing sugary drink consumption — the coalition also aims to address health equity by ensuring that all children, regardless of background, have access to healthier options, according to the release.

Local restaurant owners have also voiced their support for the ordinance, including Kelli Gianopoulos, co-owner of John’s Table at 1700 Dogwood St.“We support removing sugary drinks from kids’ menus because nurturing young bodies with wholesome nutrition seeds a lifetime of healthy habits,” said Gianopoulos.

The ordinance reflects a broader trend toward healthier dining options for children, “as seen with companies like Disney World and McDonald’s, which have made healthier drinks like water and milk the standard options in kids’ meals,” the release said.

Following these changes, both companies reported significant increases in sales of healthy drinks among young customers, according to the release.

“Research has shown that people stick to healthy default beverage options about 66% of the time,” said Lexi Nolen, executive director of Boulder County Public Health. “This policy makes Louisville a leader in supporting families and promoting their children’s health.”

If Louisville restaurants are convicted of violating the new ordinance, they may receive a fine of no more than $500 for each offense, according to city council documents.

Soda, sports drinks and fruit juices are the No. 1 source of sugar in kid’s diets. According to a press release from the Boulder County Board of Health, on average, children in the United States drink 30 gallons of sweetened beverages a year, which is equivalent to a full bathtub.