MOH and WHO reviewing nutrition policy for schools in Fiji

The Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization are working together in reviewing the Food and Nutrition Policy to promote healthy eating in schools around Fiji.

During a round-table discussion at the French Ambassador’s residence in Suva, senior nutritionist at the National Food and Nutrition Centre, Kriti Chand says this is part of their mission to promote healthy eating in schools.

Chand says a lot of schools around Fiji are selling unhealthy snacks and they want school canteens to be selling at least 75% of healthy and nutritious snacks but unfortunately this is a huge challenge that they are facing.

She says they have come up with canteen guidelines to try and promote healthy eating to children in schools and also stop the spread of non-communicable diseases.

She explained the canteen guidelines is basically to guide the canteen sellers in schools with selling healthy and nutritious foods and also to educate children on healthy eating and making wise decisions of buying healthy snacks.

Chand says they are working with the Ministry of Education in monitoring this issue.