SAFER FOOD IN SCHOOL

A few weeks ago, we have quite a scare when a group of students got ill after ingesting edibles, which are infused with THC from cannabis aka marijuana. This is very harmful to children, side effects can be sleepiness, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases seizures.

Due to this incident, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness dіѕсuѕѕed if there are gарѕ or роѕѕіbіlіtіеѕ of strengthening the рrосеѕѕ of іѕѕuіng fооd handlers сеrtіfісаtеѕ to ѕсhооl vеndоrѕ. This would еnѕurе ѕаfе рrосеdurеѕ when it comes to what types of food are allowed in schools.

In an interview with Hon. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health, and Wellness, “A few weeks ago I took a paper to cabinet where we are introducing the cabinet approved the issue of unhealthy food and sugary drinks to primary school and to school at all levels.”

He went on to state, “We are now in the process between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Wellness, in coming up with legislative changes, that has to happen as this includes a ban on certain items.”

This shows a government ensuring not only that our kids are educated but that they are healthy as well.

Minister Bernard stated that “the technical people in the ministry and from the Ministry of Education in collaboration with PAHO as what it is we should look at in terms of implementation.”

It will take time, Minister Bernard also indicated but it’s a start. He emphasizes that only by working together we can have safer and healthier schools.