RAS AL KHAIMAH -- The Ras Al Khaimah Education Zone will soon set up a committee in coordination with schools to open outlets on school premises selling healthy and quality foods to students other than fast foods.
The committee will be formed in coordination with the school administrators, Education Zone Director Hamad Al Shamsy said after nutritionists and health experts warned against the unhealthy foods being sold in canteens, especially of private schools.
The restaurants would be fully furnished with tables and chairs so as to provide comfort to the students while having meals, Al Shamsy added.
Earlier, experts urged school administrators to always examine the food served to students in the canteens and to ensure that the items contain full nutrients and are hygienically safe for consumption.
The experts warned against school canteens selling fast foods, including samosas, fried chicken, burgers and sandwiches, which are not good for the students' health as they contain a lot of oils and high calories.
"The consumption of fast foods is among the major causes of obesity among children which also sometimes leads to diabetes," said Hala Abutaha, a nutrition specialist here.
She noted that obesity causes serious health problems which could easily lead to heart failure and diabetes if the person does not get treatment.
"Foods containing fats and oils make students lazy and sleepy, in addition to weakening the students thinking, especially when they consume the food towards class hours," she added.
Abutaha stressed that fried foods served by school canteens are sometimes prepared in cooking oil used several times which is unhygienic and can lead to food poisoning and other health problems.
The authorities must inspect school canteens regularly to ensure that they sell good-quality food to students.
"Among the recommended foods are bran flakes, bread, fruits and vegetables such as green peas and (vegetable) marrow which are good sources of fibre," said Abutaha.
Adil Ali Al Deek, Chief of the Environmental and Health Department at the Ras Al Khaimah Municipality, said all canteens or restaurants selling or supplying food products to students at schools are given licences by the municipality after ensuring that they comply with the country's food and hygiene standards.
Municipal health officials would intensify inspections in school canteens to ensure that the food sold to students is of good quality and also helpful to the children's health, he added.
At least one school administrator here has attributed the sale of unhealthy foods in schools to the suppliers' neglect of the students' health. He said schools have plans to open cafeterias selling healthier foods when they are given the authority to do so.
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