List of 15 food items to be barred in school ready in June

KEMAMAN: The fifteen food items deemed unhealthy for children is expected to be finalised by next month, says Deputy Health Minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin.

The proposal by the ministry's Nutrition Division was expected to be completed this month, but discussion with the Education Ministry was still ongoing, she said.

"We are also looking into several concerns raised by the public.

"We are putting such concerns into perspective before finalising the list," she said after launching the Kemaman Umno division meeting here Friday.

Rosnah said among the food items considered to be unhealthy for children were:

• candies,
• preserved food,
• food with artificial flavour,
• processed food like burgers and nuggets
• as well as carbonated drinks.

"In line with the proposal, the ministry had also identified 60 types of healthy food like fried rice, kuey teow soup and noodle soup to be sold by canteen operators.

"We are taking every consideration as well as opinions from all parties before finalising the list, thus there is no sense in rushing it," she said.

On another matter, Rosnah also tipped Terengganu as a potential destination for health tourism, given the state government emphasis on health industry.

"The state has made headway in making innovation in health.

"Thus, with bustling tourist destination such as Lake Kenyir and Pulau Kapas, I see no reason why the state cannot be a health tourism destination," she said.

So far, only Penang and Klang Valley are the destinations for health tourism in the country, she added.

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