Waving goodbye to unhealthy food in school canteen

Fifteen food items deemed unhealthy for children have been proposed by the Health Ministry's Nutrition Division to be banned in school canteens, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.

These included instant noodles, candies, preserved food, food containing artificial flavour, processed food like burgers, and carbonated drinks.

Rosnah said in line with the proposal, which would be finalised next month, the ministry had also identified 60 types of healthy food like fried rice, kuey teow soup and noodle soup to be sold by canteen operators.

Rosnah said the proposal on the sale of healthy food was vital as the research conducted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia revealed that in 2000, the obesity rate among children aged between 7 and 12 was 9.7%, while in 2008, it had risen to 13.7%.

In another news, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said new guidelines on food sold in school canteens, including frequency of the food served, are expected to be issued next month. He said the guidelines would ensure healthier food for schoolchildren and address their health problems, such as obesity.

"Previously, only the food list was given. Now, the frequency will be set, for example, how many times nasi lemak and fried rice must be sold," he told reporters.

Liow said the food list, which would be made up of about 70 main dishes, would be finalised after it was discussed with the Education Ministry. Liow said food vendors outside school compound should also comply with the guidelines.