The Hindu : New Delhi News : Schools to replace aerated drinks

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 25, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Schools to replace aerated drinks

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

Private schools have asked for vending machines that serve health drinks

NEW DELHI: Taking a step forward, private schools in the Capital are now giving the thumbs up sign to health drinks and opting to ban the sale of aerated drinks at their canteens.

With the food policy at various schools set to change for the better, this new "healthy option" will ensure that students get a better chance at opting for a healthy lifestyle and avoid many health problems in the long run.

In what could aptly be described as a trend-setting decision, private schools have asked for vending machines that serve health drinks to be installed in their premises. Under this latest move schools will sell fortified beverages. In addition to the drinks offered to older students in canteens, the new option is targeted at elementary and middle school students as well. The authorities say these machines will remain functional during school hours only.

The project is part of the effort to address micronutrient deficiency among children that has gone up in the past 20 years according to a recent study conducted by National Institute of Nutrition (NIN). The report also observed inadequate intake of many essential micronutrients including vitamins and minerals among school goers.

B. Sivakumar, principal investigator of the NIN study, says: "Our study shows supplementation with a micronutrient-fortified beverage can significantly improve physical and mental development as well as bring about necessary growth among school goers.''

"This is an important announcement and a bold step forward in the struggle to help kids live healthier lives. We help students establish lifelong habits. This is a step in the right direction toward having a nation of healthier kids. Children who adopt healthy habits at an early age are more likely to continue the behaviour throughout life,'' says Ashi Malhotra, Headmistress of New Era School.

Stating that this new move was getting positive response from parents too, Anju Mehrotra, Principal of Kalka Public School, says: "Parents are enthusiastic about their children getting flavoured Horlicks and Boost instead of fizzy aerated drinks in school that is high in sugar and calories."

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