School canteens must sell healthy food – Education Ministry

Schools have been warned to ensure the health of students is not compromised by the food and drinks being sold by school canteens.

The Ministry of Education has sent a formal notification to school heads to ensure that school canteen operators abide by the School Canteen Guideline 2013 and also the Fiji School Health Policy 2016.

It says this is to ensure that healthy food, snacks and drinks are sold to students daily.

The Ministry has also notified schools to ensure people that are allowed into the school compound to sell products are abiding by the relevant health policies in place.

Schools have also been told to ensure that school canteen operators obtain a license before they are given permission by the school management to operate.

The Food Safety Regulations 2009 states that the penalty for operating a food establishment which is not licensed under the Food Safety Act is liable to a $10,000 fine or 5 years imprisonment.

It also states that if the owner of the food establishment fails to comply with any of the conditions of the license, he or she is further liable for a $200 fine or 12 months imprisonment.

The Ministry of Education says it will close school canteens that fail to obtain a proper license.