A decision by soft-drink companies to pull carbonated pop from vending machines in elementary schools by next September was called a step in the right direction by London health advocates. Heather Thomas, a public health dietitian with the Middlesex-London Health Unit, said she was surprised -- but pleased -- with the news.

"They've recognized the concern parents had about non-nutritional beverages in schools," she said. "It's a move in the right direction."

Refreshments Canada, a lobby group for the soft-drink companies, decided in late December to voluntarily withdraw its carbonated drinks from Canadian elementary schools by the start of the next school year.

The group also decided the front of vending machines will be changed to advertise non-carbonated drinks and feature active lifestyles.

Water, sports drinks and fruit drinks will still be sold in the machines.

While the health unit advocates for 100 per cent fruit juice, not fruit drinks, getting caffeine-laden pop out is a move forward, Thomas said.

"(Fruit drinks) may not be the ideal, but it's better than carbonated drinks," she said.

"I'm a little surprised . . . Parents can be very vocal when it comes to the health of kids. I don't know a dietitian who is in support of pop machines in schools. There's been a lot of public pressure."

Brian Greene, executive superintendent in charge of finances at the Thames Valley District school board, said the changes shouldn't hurt schools' pocketbooks.

"I would assume it won't mean any loss of revenue because there are other products they can sell," he said.

Greene doesn't know how many elementary schools sell pop but 64 have machines. Each principal picks what's sold -- pop, sports drinks, fruit drinks or water.

"I'm not surprised by this move," Greene said. "They had to be hearing the growing concern about obesity . . . With a good marketing department, they had to consider it."

Thames Valley's exclusive contract with Pepsi was worth $538,000 last school year, including sales in high schools. The five-year contract, expiring in August, is worth about $2.5 million.

What food and drinks are sold in schools has become a contentious issue in recent years as schools have signed lucrative contracts with soft-drink companies in a bid to fill depleting coffers, while parents have become worried about the growing girths on their kids.

Ontario's Liberal government has vowed to get junk food out of elementary schools. Education Minister Gerard Kennedy said yesterday the move by the soft-drink companies is "the right read of the situation."

"There's a lot of concern about the health of young children," he said. However, he added, "it's obviously just one small part of an overall healthy schools policy."

Kennedy said Ontario will continue its push to get junk food out of elementary schools and replace it with healthier foods.

Gemma Zecchini, executive director of Refreshments Canada, said the decision follows more than a year of discussions with school boards, parents groups and others about the appropriate beverages for school children.

"Children are young and they may need some assistance in terms of making nutritional choices about what they eat and drink," Zecchini said.