Protecting students: PMA calls for stricter enforcement of unhealthy food ban in schools

File photo courtesy: DIRPI 
IV Report:

KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has called for stricter enforcement of the Sindh Food Authority's (SFA) ban on unhealthy food and drinks in schools and colleges across the province, with a transparent and accountable system for monitoring the compliance.

PMA Secretary General Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro in a statement on April 11 emphasised the need for regular inspections, surprise checks, and a mechanism for reporting violations to ensure compliance.

The SFA had initially issued a notification in 2018, calling for a ban on the sale of soft drinks, energy drinks, and colored, flavored snacks within and around educational institutions. This move, according to it, aims to promote healthy eating habits among students and reduce the risk of diet-related health issues.

SFA maintained that it was committed to availability of safe, hygienic and healthy foods for the population, including the school goers, across Sindh.

PMA Secretary General
PMA has recommended:

- Specialised unit: Create a dedicated unit within SFA to conduct regular inspections and investigations.

- Technology integration: Utilise mobile apps or online platforms for reporting and tracking compliance.

- Clear penalties: Establish clear and proportionate penalties for non-compliance, including fines, suspension of canteen licenses, or closure of educational institutions.

- Public awareness: Launch a comprehensive public awareness campaign and training workshops to educate students, parents, teachers, and canteen operators about the ban and its benefits.

The Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions (DIRPI), Sindh, has also taken steps to address the issue, issuing circulars and guidelines in 2020 and 2022. DIRPI will issue a reminder once instructions are received from the provincial education secretariat, shared an official.

 

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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