THE MUNICIPALITY of Kapangan wants to strengthen the ban on the sale of unhealthy food and beverages near schools.
Members of the local council have approved an ordinance prohibiting all business establishments and ambulant vendors from selling unhealthy food and beverages to schoolchildren specifically food products containing saturated fats and trans fat, sodium and free sugar.
"It was observed these measures being implemented in schools are simply inadequate since school children can always buy such unhealthy foods and beverages outside the school campus," the ordinance states.
The ban covers all business establishments and retail stores located within a 200-meter radius from the perimeter of school sites and day care centers, public or private engaged in the selling of ready-to-eat packaged food products and beverages taken between regular meals.
Under the proposed measure, food products were divided into three categories.
Green category include foods and drinks that are best choices for a healthy diet as they contain wide range of nutrients and are generally low in saturated and trans fat, sugar and salt.
Yellow category includes food and drinks that should be served with caution and moderation as they contain limited nutrients but on contrary they contain large amount of saturated trans fat.
Red category includes food and drinks not recommended for school children as they contain high amount go saturated fat or sugar or salt.
Establishments violating the ordinance will be given a verbal reprimand for the first offense, written warning on the second offense, a fine of P1,500 for the third offense and P2,500 fine or an imprisonment not exceeding six months upon the discretion of the court and revocation of the business permit.
Excluded however, in the coverage of the ordinance are home-made organic food and beverages provided that they are prepared with utmost care observing cleanliness and sanitation standards subject to monitoring.
The municipal mayor may deputize barangay officials and barangay health workers to monitor the operations of all business establishments for the implementation of the new law.
The approved ordinance has been forwarded to the provincial board of Benguet for review.
The ordinance seeks to compliment with the memorandum order of Department of Education to promote healthy eating habits among school children and protect them from the harmful effects of unhealthy diet and ensure their wholesome growth and development.
