In a significant move towards enhancing student health and well-being, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) has introduced a comprehensive food policy for schools, effective from the 2024/25 academic year. This initiative aims to create a safe and nutritious food environment for students and staff, emphasizing the importance of healthy eating habits and sustainable food practices.
The Importance of Nutrient-Rich Food
Schools play a crucial role in shaping the dietary habits of young individuals. Recognizing this responsibility, the new policy mandates that educational institutions provide healthy, nutrient-rich food options. Schools must obtain the necessary licenses and maintain inspection records to ensure compliance with food safety regulations. This proactive approach not only promotes better health outcomes but also educates students about the importance of nutrition.
Creating a Safe Food Environment
Under the new guidelines, schools are required to actively supervise students during snack and mealtimes. This supervision is essential for several reasons:
Ensuring Acceptable Food Choices: Schools must monitor what students bring to ensure that allergens and harmful foods are not present, protecting the health of all students.
Access to Meals: Every student should have access to a meal daily, except during fasting periods, ensuring that no child goes hungry.
Addressing Food-Related Issues: Schools must be vigilant about food-related behaviors, including eating disorders and food-related bullying, fostering a supportive environment for all students.
Prohibited Food Items
To maintain a healthy food culture, certain items are strictly prohibited on school premises. Alcohol, carbonated drinks, pork, and foods containing allergens must not be served or consumed during school events. This policy aims to eliminate unsafe food items and promote a culture of health and safety.
Parental Involvement in Healthy Eating
Parents play a vital role in reinforcing healthy eating habits at home. Schools are encouraged to share guidelines with parents regarding balanced diets and food restrictions. These guidelines should highlight “unhealthy” foods, such as fried items, that parents are advised to avoid packing in their children’s lunches. By working together, schools and parents can combat long-term health issues like obesity, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.
Food Services on Campus
Compliance with government food safety regulations is mandatory for all schools providing food services. Teachers and canteen staff must undergo training conducted by the Abu Dhabi Public Health Center (ADPHC) to promote healthy eating practices. Additionally, external food delivery services, such as Talabat and Deliveroo, are prohibited during school hours to maintain control over the nutritional quality and safety of the food consumed by students.
Student Engagement in Food Services
To foster a sense of ownership and responsibility, schools are encouraged to involve students in planning and enhancing food services. Feedback forms and suggestion boxes can be utilized to gather student opinions, allowing them to contribute to the improvement of their school’s food offerings.
Special Considerations for Dietary Needs
Respecting the religious, cultural, and ethical needs of minority groups is paramount in the new policy. Schools must ensure that students with allergies are adequately supported by keeping detailed records of food allergies and intolerances. This information should be readily available in the school canteen, and food labels must clearly indicate any allergens present.
Steps to Support Students with Allergies
Record Keeping: Maintain accurate records of students’ food allergies and ensure they are accessible to canteen staff.
Clear Labelling: Ensure that all food items are clearly labelled with potential allergens.
Meal Planning: Plan meals and activities with consideration for students’ allergies, allowing for safe adjustments.
Communication with Parents: Require parents to inform the school immediately if their child develops an allergy and provide necessary medications.
Risk Assessments: Conduct risk assessments related to food allergies and implement measures to mitigate risks.
Emergency Procedures: Establish clear procedures for managing allergic reactions, particularly severe ones.
Conclusion: A Commitment to Nutritional Awareness
The overarching goal of Abu Dhabi’s new food policy is to enhance nutritional awareness and promote healthy eating habits within the school community. By fostering a better understanding of healthy and sustainable food practices, schools can create environments that support the well-being of students and staff alike.
As schools prepare to implement these guidelines, the commitment to providing a safe and healthy food environment will undoubtedly contribute to the overall health and academic success of students. The policy is set to be fully compliant by the beginning of the 2025/26 academic year, marking a significant step forward in the promotion of health and wellness in education.