Fast Foods to be Phased Out of Schools

Chocolate bars, soft drinks and many deep-fried foods will be removed from school canteens, cafeterias and vending machines across the province.

These changes are part of a new policy offering students healthier foods and beverages at school, Premier Rodney MacDonald announced today, Sept. 12.

The Food and Nutrition Policy for Nova Scotia Public Schools will require schools to begin phasing out food and beverages of low nutrition over the next three years. Ice cream, chips and doughnuts will be off menus beginning in January.

The new policy means healthier food and drink choices for students.

"We have a duty to our students and their families to do what we can to limit the amount of unhealthy food sold in our schools," said Premier MacDonald. "Too many of our children are experiencing health problems because of poor diet. We will not be part of the problem. We will be part of the solution."

One in three children in Nova Scotia is considered overweight or obese, putting them at an increased risk of serious medical conditions including heart disease, diabetes, cancer and asthma. A recent study of Nova Scotia Grade 5 students, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, also found cafeteria lunches increase the risk of school children becoming overweight.

The incidence of Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and other nutrition-related diseases in children is also rising dramatically, in large part due to heavily processed foods high in fat, salt and sugar.

Diet is also linked to learning. "Healthy food in schools is not just a health issue; it's an educational one too. There is a clear link between good nutrition and learning," said Education Minister Karen Casey.

The policy, which takes effect this school year, will use a combination of directives and guidelines to promote healthy food and beverage choices, including the establishment of food and beverage standards, limitations on school fundraising using food and beverages, nutrition education, exemptions for special functions, and affordable pricing.

"If we can help young people form healthy habits in school, including healthy food choices, we can dramatically improve the long-term health of Nova Scotians," said Barry Barnet, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection.

The policy contains minimum, moderate and maximum nutrition lists that will guide schools in selecting healthy alternatives. Policy highlights include:

• Doughnuts, chocolate bars, chips and ice cream treats will no longer be served or sold in schools, effective January 2007
• Deep-fat fryers will no longer be used to prepare food effective January 2007
• Only 100 per cent juice, water, and milk (or nutritional milk alternative) will be served or sold beginning in January 2007
• Fundraising by and through a school can involve only non-food items or food and beverages from the maximum and moderate nutrition list, beginning September 2007. (This directive will be reviewed in the spring of 2007 prior to implementation)
• Donairs, hot dogs, pepperoni pizza and other mixed foods and beverages from the minimum nutrition list will no longer be available after June 2008
• The majority of food and beverages served or sold in schools will be from the maximum nutrition list by June 2009
• All schools will be fully compliant with the 12 policy directives by June 2009.

The new policy, which underwent significant revision following a five-week consultation last fall, promotes healthy eating but, at the same time, gives schools the flexibility to allow foods and beverages of minimum nutrition for special in-school celebrations, such as Halloween and Christmas parties.

Changes made following the consultation encourage teachers to be positive role models but still allow them to drink coffee or tea in the staffroom. Parent groups, are encouraged to fundraise with healthy foods and beverages.

"We listened," said Ms. Casey. "This is a policy designed with flexibility and with students' best interests in mind."