The USDA passed a new law this summer prohibiting the sale of any drink at school that excedes the 50 calorie limit.

The USDA’s new law forced CISD to make a change. The Java City at Randall served many drinks that broke the new law causing the district to make a decision, get rid of Java City or get rid of sugar in the drinks. The district changed Java City’s menu by ridding it of the Javalanches, lowering the portion sizes of the warm coffees, using whole milk as a substitute for half and half  and only offering alternative sugar instead of cane sugar. The exchange of sweetners has also caused an increase in prices which resulted in disgruntled and unsatisfied customers.

The USDA said the change will protect students from sugar drinks and junk food that tempt them through school vending machines, a la carte lines in cafeterias and school stores and snack bars. The USDA said the action was needed given students’ generally unhealthy diets and high rates of obesity.

“I think (the change) could be a good one,” sophomore Staysha Greenhill said. “But I don’t think many people can agree with that.”

Those upset by the new restrictions and changes at Java City argue that removing sugar and adding sugar substitutes are not necessarily healthier, claiming the alternative sweetner is proven to be somewhat dangerous as it compromises the microbiome, a bacteria crucial for the normal function of the intestine.

“I think its important to eat properly, with limitations and without excess,” cafeteria worker Desiree Barefoot said. “But I also think that artificial sweeteners aren’t good for you and kids should have a choice between real and artificial sweetener.”