Ministry of Health to Launch New Guidelines to Ban Unhealthy Foods in School Canteens

COLOMBO (News 1st);The Ministry of Health states that the guidelines for healthy school canteens will be launched today.

Director of Nutrition at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Monika Wijeratne, says that the launch ceremony will be held at the Colombo Medical Faculty auditorium under the patronage of the Minister of Health.

She noted that these guidelines have been empowered through a circular issued under the signature of the Secretary to the Ministry of Education and that the necessary provisions have been provided to principals and school authorities to implement these measures within schools.

According to Dr. Monika Wijeratne, the new guidelines prohibit the sale of items falling under a number of categories in school canteens:

Foods containing harmful fats.

Foods with excessive salt and artificial flavoring.

Foods with high sugar content.

Nutritionally poor, high-calorie foods.

Dr. Wijeratne further highlighted a concerning trend of increasing obesity among school children, noting that 17.4% of children aged between 13 and 17 are consuming carbonated beverages, which is a primary contributing factor.