IN SINGAPORE schools, canteen vendors are strongly advised not to sell drinks with more than 8g of sugar per 100ml, a limit which excludes most soda drinks.

Isotonic and sports drinks are allowed as they generally contain less than 8g of sugar per 100ml.

Pure unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices, milk and milk-based drinks are allowed.

These are among the guidelines of the Model School Tuckshop Programme, which was started by the Health Promotion Board and the Ministry of Education in 2003.

Other guidelines to promote healthy eating among students in Singapore include not selling deep-fried food and preserved meat more than one day every week, replacing part of coconut milk with milk in dishes such as curry and nasi lemak, and using skinless poultry or lean meat in dishes.

This year, more than 90 per cent of schools in Singapore are taking part in the programme.