New canteen guidelines to focus on calories

KUALA LUMPUR: There will be no ban or restrictions on food sold in school canteens, said Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong.

Instead, the new canteen food guidelines to be implemented soon would focus on calories contained in each food item to educate pupils on eating right in school and at home.

He said there were suggestions to ban fast food like nuggets and burgers but the ministry had decided against it.


"It's not about what they are or how many times the food is consumed, but rather, how much calorie intake is needed for each age group."

Wee added that there was no need to restrict food items that can be sold at school canteens.

"Any food can be unhealthy. It is not about the frequency, but how much calories they take and how much of that is burnt."


He said the guidelines discussed between his ministry and Health Ministry officials on Monday, among others, touched on the calculation of total calories required by each age group on a daily basis.

"We have accepted the Health Ministry's recommendation to tabulate the types of food and calories to be displayed in school canteen menus."

He said once the ministry received the recommendation, it would pass it on to canteen operators.


"We want to educate, rather than enforce. We see this as a solution for greater awareness on healthy eating habits and reducing obesity among schoolchildren."

Wee added students could check out the menu and decide what they should, and should not, eat.

"It is not only about teaching them to eat right during recess but even after school hours. Once they practice it during recess, they will turn it into a habit, even during school hours."

The existing guideline was last revised in 2008.

"Operators will still have to follow other rules like no jeruk (preserved fruits) or other junk food items sold at school canteens."

Wee added that the ministry was looking at working with the private sector under their corporate social responsibility programmes to help teachers teach students about eating healthy.

Wee also said students' Body Mass Index would be calculated twice a year to check on obesity among schoolchildren.