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<p>One major goal of the Government during the <a href="https://buzz-caribbean.com/article/education-ministry-gears-up-for-start-of-new-school-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="academic year 2019/2020 (opens in a new tab)">academic year 2019/2020</a> is to complete the proposed Nutrition Policy, which will restrict certain types of sugary drinks in schools and provide healthier food options for students.          </p>
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<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/Samuda-Nutrition-Policy-Schools-1024x742.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6812" /><figcaption> <br>Minister with responsibility for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Karl Samuda, addresses the media at a Press Conference at his Ministry, in Kingston, on Thursday (August 29). </figcaption></figure></div>
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<p>This is in keeping with the ban implemented in January 2019, which restricts the circulation of certain types of sugary drinks in schools and public health institutions.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/Sugar-1024x684.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-6811" /></figure>
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<p>At the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information’s annual Back-to-School Press Conference on Thursday (August 29), Minister with responsibility for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Karl Samuda, said the Ministry has started working with concessionaires to ensure that students are properly fed during the five days of school.  </p>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p> “The inclusion of local products in the feeding programme ...is currently being finalised for implementation within this school year” </p><cite> — Minister with responsibility for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Karl Samuda </cite></blockquote>
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<p>“In the area of nutrition and school-feeding, our Nutrition Policy will reinforce the push to restrict the availability of non-sugary drinks in schools. We support the drive by the Ministry of Health and we’re sincerely making an effort to support that Policy for the betterment of the health of our children,” Minister Samuda said.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/beverage-carbonated-drink-1024x682.jpg" alt="Close up view of carbonated beverage." class="wp-image-6808" /></figure>
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<p>“The inclusion of local products in the feeding programme, as well as the reintroduction of the Breakfast Programme, is currently being finalised for implementation within this school year,” he added.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/Jamaican-fruits-nutrition-policy.jpg" alt="Fruits in a bowl." class="wp-image-6809" /></figure>
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<p>Mr. Samuda also stated that Nutrition Products will be producing juices for selected schools and will increase its number of deliveries.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/water-nutrition-policy-1024x683.jpg" alt="Water being poured in a glass." class="wp-image-6810" /></figure>
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<p>Meanwhile, Mr. Samuda said most schools have embraced water consumption as a primary liquid for hydration, and that manufacturers have made adjustments in terms of revisiting their formula… so that it does not have the high sugar content.</p>
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<p>The Policy is to be submitted to Cabinet for review and approval.</p>
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