COCA-COLA, once a symbol of American youth but now retreating in the face of a childhood obesity epidemic, signed up yesterday to a voluntary agreement that will end almost all sales of high-sugar fizzy drinks in US schools.

The deal between the American Heart Association and the beverage industry, brokered by the former President Bill Clinton, will allow only unsweetened juice, low-fat milk and water in elementary and middle school vending machines and cafeterias. Low-calorie and sports drinks will still be available in high schools.

Mr Clinton, who has suffered weight problems and had a heart bypass operation since leaving the White House, said: “This is a bold step forward in the struggle to help 35 million young people lead healthier lives. This one policy can add years and years and years to the lives of a very large number of young people.”

The agreement, signed yesterday by industry giants such as Cadbury Schweppes, Coca-Cola and Pepsi, follows a wave of regulation by school districts and state legislatures.

More than half of American schools have vending machine contracts with soft drinks firms, many of which offered a bigger share of profits for selling fizzy drinks than for water or juice. But sales of sugary drinks fell by more than a quarter in schools between 2002 and 2004 as the health message began to get through. According to a recent report by Morgan Stanley, the investment bank, the proportion of Americans agreeing that cola is “liked by everyone” has shrunk from 56 per cent three years ago to 44 per cent. Those who believe that the drink is too fattening increased from 48 to 59 per cent.

Diana Garza, of Coca-Cola, said: “These guidelines escalate the shift to lower-calorie, more nutritious beverages.”

On Tuesday a federal report called for new limits on the marketing of junk food to children. It noted that obesity has tripled among adolescents in the past 25 years. Similar moves have been made in Britain, though a study indicated this week that people in England are still far healthier than their US counterparts.

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