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Unified food safety norms for schools

A federal legislation that will make it obligatory for schools to follow unified canteen and food safety guidelines is being readied, said officials

adding that the law would help reduce childhood obesity and promote healthy eating habits in schools.

The law, which officials say should be in place within a year or so, will make it compulsory for school canteens and its related food industry to strictly adhere to school guidelines that are currently being updated by health authorities and municipalities from the entire UAE.

The existing school canteen guidelines implemented in schools either differ from emirate to emirate or are being taken for granted, said officials.

“We are working on the new unified school guidelines based on international and regional benchmarks,” explained Dr Fathia Hatim, Head of Health Promotion at the Public Health Department, Dubai Health Authority. “However, a federal law will ensure that these guidelines are being followed strictly.”

The guidelines will be a comprehensive system targeting school canteens, food companies, food handlers, students, teachers and parents.

“Under the guidelines, school canteens all over the emirates will be monitored for the kind of food being provided, prepared and handled,” explained Dr Fathia. She also said that issues as food allergies and the quality and quantity of meals being given in schools will be addressed in the guidelines. “We do not want to provide meals to students ourselves but want to educate parents on how to prepare healthy lunchboxes.”

A 2010 national school health survey showed that unhealthy eating habit is the main reason for obesity among 40 per cent of school students in the country.

During a seminar on nutrition on Thursday, officials from the health ministry said that a national nutrition strategy is also being prepared in cooperation with the UAE University, the Ministry of Education and Unicef.

“With the continuing increase of chronic diseases especially diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, it has become necessary to develop comprehensive national programmes and address challenges resulting from unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, said Dr Mahmood Fikri, Assistant Undersecretary for Health Policies at the ministry.

Dr Dalia Haroon a representative of Unicef said the international body has already run a successful campaign ‘Fat Truth’ targeting school children in the UAE. “We are now preparing for the second phase which should be implemented by the next academic year,” she said.

“We have eight main components in this programme to address school managements, students and parents,” she explained.

Special Diet

Up to 290 students from Dubai and Ajman have lost up to 45 per cent of their weight after being put on a special diet and exercise regimen by their schools.

A lifestyle management programme implemented by the Ministry of Health in nine schools in Dubai and six in Ajman for the past three years has yielded positive results, said an official who is spearheading the programme.

“Losing up to 45 per cent is an extremely good percentage,” said Dr Ashraf Nathmi, Specialist Nutritionist in the Health Education Department at the ministry.

“Another good number of students are not committed,” he added.

The programme has shown good results since it started in 2009. Results are being compiled for the current year. Before starting off the programme, students are tested for blood pressure and cholesterol.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com