Fijian schools to implement bans on junk food

Fiji's Ministry of Health said Monday that they want all school canteens in the island nation to enforce rules which promote healthy eating habits in children in a move to reduce Non Communicable Diseases. Health Ministry spokesperson Peni Namotu said health inspectors from the food unit will be monitoring schools to ensure guidelines are followed. The sale of oily food, sweets and fizzy drinks at the canteens are a major concern and Namotu said instead, school canteens should be selling fruit as well as vegetables and fruit juice. He said those schools which failed to comply with the guidelines should face legal action. Canteen guidelines were implemented in partnership with the Education Ministry. Fiji spends 39 percent of its health budget to tackle obesity and related problems, only because citizens choose to eat unhealthy products and become less active as they got hooked to certain junk food advertisements. Health Minister Doctor Neil Sharma urges parents not to remain idle in instilling proper eating habits in their children. Sharma says mothers in the island nation were breastfeeding their infants less, and spending more money and time on formula and bottle feed. In Fiji, a ban will soon be placed on junk food advertising in order to protect the younger generation from consuming such products.