Ramatali supports less sugar in schools

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh announced the initative during the opening of a camp hosted by the Diabetes Association at the Preysal Secondary School on Saturday. He said the plan included a total reduction in the sale of sweetened drinks-soft drink and juices- to children and replace them with healthy options.

Deyalsingh said only 100 per cent fruit juices, water and other drinks which had been cleared by the ministries of Health and Education, will be available to students from the new term. “It is also going to include what we provide with the free lunches and breakfast. We are working with the Education Ministry and School Feeding Programme to redo the meals that are served,” he said, adding the sale of energy drinks at schools would also be banned. In a telephone interview yesterday, Ramatali said the organisation “fully endorsed” the Minister’s statements as too many children throughout the country had exhibited symptoms associated with Non-Communicable Diseases such as diabetes.