We agree with the writers that schools play an important role in cultivating positive eating habits. The Health Promotion Board (HPB) and Ministry of Education (MOE) work closely to provide a range of healthy food choices at school tuckshops and encourage students to make informed decisions on health-related matters, including food choices.

All schools have a canteen committee which oversees tuckshop operations to ensure healthy food choices are provided in the tuckshops. Schools use guidelines in the principal's handbook, aligned with the HPB's Model School Tuckshop programme, when monitoring these food and beverages.

The programme, introduced in 2003, provides participating schools with guidelines for healthier food and beverages in canteens (for example, sale of deep-fried food limited to once a week and drinks sold can have no more than 8g of sugar per 100ml). Further details can be found at the HPB website: www.hpb.gov.sg. To date, 74 per cent of schools have achieved Model School Tuckshop status.

Additionally, the HPB regularly organises nutrition-cum-culinary training workshops to equip school tuckshop vendors with the necessary knowledge and skills in preparing wholesome and nutritious food for students. The HPB also conducts nutrition education programmes to supplement the Health Education and Home Economics syllabuses. These include skits and health fairs to equip students with knowledge and skills to make choices about their daily meals.

The HPB and MOE will continue to promote holistic health in schools, including positive dietary habits. We thank Madam Kiong and Ms Loh for their feedback and invite them to contact the HPB on 1800-435-3192 to further share with us how we may better support our schools.

Dr Rose Vaithinathan
Director
Youth Health Division
Health Promotion Board

Ho Peng (Ms)
Director
Curriculum Planning & Development Division
Ministry of Education