New Straits Times

Tuesday, 21/06/2011

Prepare calorie labels, canteen operators advised

THE authorities should advise canteen operators to prepare calorie labels for every meal sold in schools.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said this could help inculcate good eating habits among students so that they could understand better their daily calorie intake.

"A research by University Kebangsaan Malaysia shows that nasi lemak, nasi ayam and mee goreng are favourite meals among students. That is why we are suggesting that school canteens provide variety in their menus.

"We are also suggesting school canteens to provide the calorie labels so that students can use them as guidelines based on that issued by the Health Ministry," he said in response to a supplementary question by Dr Tan Seng Giaw (DAP-Kepong).

Dr Tan wanted to know about the measures taken by the ministry to ensure that its guidelines on healthy eating and food was adhered to by all quarters and enforcement be carried out against those who sold food outside the school compounds.

"If possible, there should be some kind of advice on the labels like how many times high-calorie foods can be consumed in a day so that they will be more aware."

The move would ensure that students adhere to healthy eating habits as the ministry had banned the sale of unhealthy foods outside the school compounds.

Studies by the ministry also showed that most food purchased outside schools were snacks which contained free toys.

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