"Sharjah Private Education" sets the necessary measures to ensure food safety

Parents of students affirm their confidence in the supervision of school canteens

School administrations ensure compliance with health requirements and observe safety standards.

Emirates today

Parents of students confirmed that they do not mind buying their children food from school canteens, expressing their confidence in the supervision imposed by the concerned authorities on the stages of food preparation and presentation.

The Sharjah Special Education Authority directed to take measures related to food safety and nutrition for students, as part of a circular sent to private schools in the emirate, including a guide to operating schools with the start of the new academic year.

While private schools confirmed the possibility of subscribing to the ready-made meal service by reviewing the administrative supervisor via "WhatsApp", pointing out that the service of selling food items will also be available inside the school as a precautionary measure, after providing the students' parents with a list of meals and available items.

School administrations told "Emirates Today" that they decided not to sell chocolate, soft drinks and chewing gum, and also decided to prevent fried foods that may cause cholesterol diseases, and only serve croissants and cheese sandwiches.

And she added that she banned buying from the school canteen for students from kg1 until the fourth grade of primary school, "because of the sensitivity of this age group to some foods and drinks."

The administrations stressed that they handed over canteens to private companies, while obligating them to deal with the approved food-serving agencies approved by the Sharjah Special Education Authority, whether bakeries or catering agencies.

The students’ families confirmed that they had adopted “launch boxes” for their children, to provide them with the most appropriate healthy food, as it is prepared at home.

Mothers said, "Children love fast food, but it does more harm than good, so preparing the right meals for them at home is the best option."

Mothers stated that they would provide suitable meals for their children at home, but that they would not mind buying from school canteens, stressing their confidence in the supervision imposed on what they provide to students.

The Sharjah Special Education Authority stressed the need for students to obtain healthy meals while adhering to safety measures, calling on schools to encourage students to bring healthy food from homes, while vending machines continue to be used on the condition that they are frequently disinfected and sterilized during the school day, and that students maintain a safe distance to ensure Lack of physical cohesion while waiting in line at vending machines.

The authority added that schools can operate a selected and pre-packaged food service, with the possibility of direct cooking in the school canteen and kitchen according to health requirements, stressing that students should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after eating.

It asked food suppliers to comply with health requirements and monitor safety standards for vendors and service providers on a daily basis, adding that school staff can order food from suppliers during school hours, while adhering to safety conditions and not allowing them to enter the school campus.

She stated that the use of water coolers continues, while adhering to periodic cleaning, disinfection and sterilization procedures during the school day, and the school can provide sterile water bottles as it deems appropriate.

For its part, the Health Education Department of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah called for avoiding foods that cause obesity, such as canned foods and processed foods, avoiding foods rich in sugar, salt and coloring matter, relying on fresh foods in preparing food, and choosing fresh and organic vegetables and fruits.

Through a recently issued brochure, she called on the caregivers to take care of the child's acquisition of healthy eating habits, such as: chewing food well before swallowing it, stopping food when feeling full, and not forcing the child to finish his plate, slowing down in eating, and eating when feeling hungry, while eating small quantities. Diversity of food sources in one meal.

The Health Education Department of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs in Sharjah called for avoiding foods that cause obesity, such as canned foods and processed foods.

Follow our latest local and sports news and the latest political and economic developments via Google news