(CMR) Jamaican schools are taking a proactive approach to preventative healthcare by removing some sugary foods from their canteens including the popular bulla cakes.
This initiative is part of a health conscious campaign spearheaded by the ministries of education and health. The initiative will include several food items considered high in sugar content and encouraging parents and teachers to eliminate bag juices and other sugary items from children's lunch menus. There is also an ongoing campaign to get children moving more Jamaica Moves programme, starting in the next school year.
Education Minister Ruel Reid made the announcement while addressing yesterday's final day of the three-day Jamaica Teachers' Association's (JTA) 54th annual conference in Montego Bay, St James.
“Only two per cent of our schools have their own canteens, so Nutrition Products Limited will be reorganised to support the delivery of lunches by providing the resources, or material, for you to provide the meals, only in those schools that don't have canteens,” Reid told school administrators.
“Bullas and all those things will be withdrawn, generally, from the market, and it (approved food items) has to be whatever products are very much consistent with the Government's nutrition policy. In terms of sugar content, the manufacturers will get a standard they will have to operate with.”
Since 1973, Nutrition Products Limited has been providing public schools with meal items, including bulla cakes and bag juices, under the education ministry's portfolio.
In a short presentation before Reid spoke, Minister of Health Dr Christopher Tufton appealed to the JTA delegates to support the overall effort to promote a healthier lifestyle and dietary choices in their schools.
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