KUALA LUMPUR, April 25 (Bernama) -- The government will not hesitate to take
action against canteens that snub a directive on preparation of food at school
canteens Deputy Education minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi told the Dewan Negara
today.
Mohd Puad said an operation manual for food preparation in school canteens
would ensure proper guidelines for preparation of food in schools and prevent
obesity and diabetes among school children.
He said a study conducted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) showed
that about 86.6 percent students in the country bought food and drinks from
school canteens.
A Health Ministry study estimated 1.7 million Malaysians above 18, faced
obese problems.
"The new guideline is aimed at ensuring healthy food intake among school
children and help tackle health and obese problems," he said when winding-up
speech on a motion of thanks on the Royal Address by Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin in Dewan Negara today.
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SENATE-WINDING (EDUCATION) 2 (LAST) KUALA LUMPUR
Mohd Puad said apart from the government''s initiative, awareness among the
people, students and their families were also important elements that can help
prevent obesity.
"Actually canteen food alone is not the reason for obesity or diabetes but
rather the lifestyle of school children is also a contributing factor," he said.
Meanwhile, Mohd Puad said the Education Ministry would take over the
implementation of the Permata Negara programme next year, once the relevant Acts
have been amended in Parliament.
He said the ministry was in the final process of drafting the relevant acts
while a special committee had been formed to implement the take over process.
The Permata Negara programme set up in 2007 under the patronage of Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak''s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, involving
Permata Negara, Permata Pintar, Permata Seni and Permata Insan, is aimed at
focusing on early childhood education and care.
-- BERNAMA
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