The new school year is just around the corner as we enter the month of June!
The Department of Education (DepEd) is still firm on keeping junk food out of schools. Under DepEd Order No. 13 (2017), public schools and DepEd offices must ban all junk food from canteens and school grounds.
Any marketing of these foods is also barred. Instead, canteens must serve according to these categories:
-Green (Must always be available in the canteen): Fresh fruits, lean meat, water etc.,
- Yellow (Limited consumption): Fruit juices, fried rice, bread made with refined flour, biscuits, pancakes, sandwiches, processed food and stir-fried vegetables etc.,
- Red (Total ban): Soft drinks, products containing caffeine, ice cream, cakes, donuts, French fries, instant noodles, chicken skin etc.,
In accordance with this policy, schools even run fun promos like Meatless Monday and Veggie Tuesday to encourage good habits.
Lawmakers like Sen. Lito Lapid have backed this push, proposing to extend the ban to private schools and within 100m from the school perimeter.
What do you think of this policy order, fam?