ABU DHABI (Xinhua): The education authorities of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) willban junk food in the country's school canteens in a bid to combat rising obesity and diabetic levels among school children, local newspaper Khaleej Times reported on Wednesday.

In addition to banning junk food in all public and private schools, the UAE ministry of education also plans to set new health standards in schools from the next academic year starting from September, according to the report.

From September, fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh juice, cheese and milk will replace fatty and fast foods in school canteens, said Ahmad Abdul-Rahman, director of student activities from the department of sport and health programs in the ministry.

Pizzas and burgers served in schools will be monitored on how they are cooked and the kind of oil and meat being used, he added.

The ministry is carrying out a study to determine the nutrition levels required by students of different age groups, Abdul-Rahman said.

"The standards will be based on this so we can specify the nutrition needs of children of different age groups," he said.

Parents of public school children are asked about the kind of meals they want for their children and the pricing for the meals served, the official added.

The new standards "will be set for all schools in the UAE, including guidelines for private schools to follow," he said.