Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has set out interim guidelines for the sale and serving of beverages in schools.
This is aimed at addressing the prevalence of obesity among Jamaica’s school-age population, coupled with the intention to help students make healthier choices.
School administrators are provided with a list of beverages that are prohibited and those that are permitted, in accordance with the specifics outlined in the guidelines.
According to the Jamaica Observer, in a bulletin issued by the Education Ministry, it was noted that a series of sensitization sessions were held at regional meetings to enable smooth implementation.
The guidelines prohibit the sale and the serving of beverages that contain more than six grams to 100 millilitres of sugar in all public educational institutions, from early-childhood to secondary level, during regular school hours and at special school activities.
