No more junk food for Dubai students in 2017

Dubai - The implementation will be monitored by authorities, with notices being issued to schools that do not conform to them.

Dubai Municipality will introduce new guidelines for school canteens to promote healthy eating and help combat child obesity, an official said.
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The guidelines, which will be officially implemented by the next academic year, will push stakeholders and food suppliers to stop providing Dubai schools with junk food.
 Under the new guidelines, junk food or food with high salt, carbonated drinks, chocolates, deep fried food and snacks will not be served to pupils. The implementation will be monitored by authorities, with notices being issued to schools that do not conform to them.
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 Jehaina Hassan Al Ali, Principal Food Studies and Surveys Officer at the municipality's Food Safety Department said, "The guidelines will facilitate the ability of the school management, food suppliers and the government to collaborate and promote supportive environments that have an impact on health and well-being of school children."
More than 34 per cent of children in UAE are either obese or overweight. Studies showed that the weight gain is largely attributed to sedentary lifestyle, easy availability and selection of cheap and high calorie food and poor nutrition education. Obesity can lead to chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age unless there are interventions during their schooling age.  
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 Al Ali said food options will encourage the availability of fresh vegetables, fruits and wholegrain foods in schools. The guidelines, established after field visits and surveys on Dubai canteens, will be a more detailed version of the earlier 2012 food guidelines.
 "From our visits, we noticed that some schools dodged restricted food by introducing other forms of unhealthy options. The guidelines this time provide a specific list of restricted options," said Al Ali.
 She stressed on the importance of educating children on healthy food habits from a young age. "We want children to access healthy food in their schools, which should be the place that provides education with regards to nutrition," said Al Ali.
 The guidelines will also include food planners for lunchbox options addressed to parents.
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 "Parents play a big role in monitoring what their children eat and they have to be aware of the healthy food options," noted Al Ali.
 The guidelines will be introduced to food suppliers and the public by January, and will be fully implemented in August 2017. Ali Ali pointed out, "This will allow food suppliers to adjust their recipes to comply with the guidelines."
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Restricted food in school next year
Carbonated drinks
Confectionary food: Chocolates, biscuits, lollipops
Hotdogs
Cakes
Dairy meat
Sugary and energy drinks
Deep fried food
Certain types of sauces will be restricted
What the guidelines will address
Portion sizes, as some schools serve big food portions that can exceed a child's needs, leading to obesity among children
Increased availability of healthy food options
Early education of children stressing on healthy eating habits and lifestyle
Consumption of unhealthy food that can eventually lead to several chronic diseases
 sherouk@khaleejtimes.com