SCHOOLS REMINDED TO COMPLY WITH SCHOOL CANTEEN GUIDELINES

20/01/2014

The Health Ministry’s National Food and Nutrition Centre (NFNC) in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, is reminding school canteen operators and managements to comply with the revised June 2013 School Canteen Guidelines.

The revised School Canteen Guidelines is based on current knowledge about nutritional health of children as well as the operation of school canteens. The Guidelines is an integral component of Ministries of Education and Health ‘Health Promoting Schools’ initiatives that is currently being implemented in 84 schools across Fiji.

The review of the School Canteen Guidelines has been necessary in light of new evidence, policies and regulations. The Guidelines is also based on the Ministry of Education’s National Food and Nutrition Policy for Schools, which states that ‘All school canteen operators should comply with the Canteen Guidelines’.

The revised Guidelines provides Canteen Operators three categories of food and drinks to choose from; the ‘Everyday Food Group’, the ‘Select Carefully Food Group’ and the ‘Restricted Food Group’. The ultimate goal is to have most of the food and drinks sold in all School Canteens to come from the ‘Everyday Food Group’. Foods and drinks in the Restricted Group (Junk Food and Drinks) are not consistent with the Food and Health Guidelines for Fiji, and are therefore not recommended for school canteens.

All Canteen Managers and Operators, whether school-owned or outsourced, must obtain business permits from their relevant Councils or Rural Local Authorities; and must be visibly displayed in the canteen area. Food Hawkers or people who sell outside the school compound also need to have valid licenses from the Council and Local Authorities.

All schools have been provided copies of the Guidelines for their reference and compliance.

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