Sri Lanka has begun enforcing a nationwide ban on fast food, sugary snacks and other unhealthy foods in schools as authorities move to address growing cases of obesity and diet-related illnesses among children.
Under new guidelines issued by the education ministry, schools are no longer allowed to provide foods high in sugar, salt and fat. Items affected by the ban include burgers, hot dogs, pizzas, doughnuts, ice cream, biscuits, pastries, deep-fried snacks, flavoured milk, energy drinks and even condiments such as tomato sauce.
Health officials started implementing the policy on Tuesday across the country’s schools, which serve about four million students.
According to the ministry, unhealthy eating habits among children are contributing to nutritional problems and increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer later in life.
