No more Donuts and Hot-dogs in Public Schools! The Ministry bans 9 foods in UAE schools. With a view to promote a healthy diet among students, it has prohibited the sale of processed meats and fries in school canteens. All types of junk food and sweets have been pulled of the menu in public schools. The Ministry of Education issued a circular to schools to stop the supply of these nine types of food in canteens.
Ban of 9 Foods in UAE Schools
According to the circular, nine food categories were found to have detrimental health effects on students. Processed meats such as sausages, mortadella, pastrami and instant noodles had high content level of saturated fat, sodium, mono-sodium and artificial flavors.
The list comprises the following items:
- Hot dogs and processed meats
- Indomie is included owing to its high fat, sodium content, artificial flavors
- Chocolate spreads banned for its high fat, sugar content and artificial flavors
- Chocolate bars, both with and without nuts
- Sweets, lollipops and jelly
- All peanut products, to avoid allergic reactions
- All potato chips and corn chips
- Carbonated drinks, energy drinks, juice, iced teas, slushies, flavored water, and eskimo drinks
- Cream cakes and doughnuts with high fat, sugar content and artificial colors
These new guidelines are based on global health standards and will help schools mould students’ dietary and nutritional needs. It will educate children and empower them to make wise food choices for a healthier lifestyle. To prevent diseases resulting from malnutrition, including obesity, anorexia and anemia, the ministry has urged parents to adhere to the new food guidelines and refrain from sending such banned food items to school