DepED Aklan, strictly monitors the sale of soft drinks and junk foods in schools

Posted August 28, 2014

Written by Gloria Villas

Department of Education (DepED) reminded school canteens that selling junk food and soft drinks is strictly prohibited in all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide.

Office of DepED Aklan Program Supervisor I, Marivic Tolentino said that away from the monitoring, there were still a few schools in Aklan that are still allegedly infringing it.

She said that based on DepED Order No. 8, Series of 2007, or the “Revised Implementing Guidelines on the Operation and Management of School Canteens in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools,” only “nutrient-rich foods and fortified food shall be sold in school canteens.”

Meanwhile, Tolentino reminded school canteens that selling unhealthy snacks and carbonated drinks are strictly prohibited in all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide.

DepED also recommends to parents and students to only eat nutritious foods when they are inside the school premises and also reminded parents and students not to patronize such products for good health.

The order added that the “sale of carbonated drinks, sugar-based synthetic or artificially flavored juices, junk foods, and any food product that may be detrimental to the child’s health” is prohibited.