War on shady food, drinks

Given the epidemic levels of consumption of unhealthy food items and beverages, it is not hard to see why the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety and Halal Food Authority has forbidden the sale and distribution of such items in school and college canteens. The measure was taken in line with the recommendations of a scientific committee that called for an outright ban on carbonated drinks, energy drinks, chips (crisps) and papadoms on account of their harmful effects on children and youth. A similar ban was imposed by the authorities in Punjab last year. Several leading private educational institutions in some parts of the country have already limited the sale of fizzy drinks in order to encourage healthy living and fight off the threat of child obesity. Students who consume sugary drinks are generally hyperactive and suffer from an attention deficit in addition to suffering diabetes risks and other ailments associated with their consumption.

While prohibiting their sale in schools and colleges, one can’t help but point out that children can buy these products in supermarkets, convenience stores and just about any other place. Prohibition would perhaps make it attractive to consume. So, clearly, it is not just schools and colleges that need to impose the ban or at least limit their sale and distribution.

What is far more workable, however, is to carry out vigorous health awareness campaigns across the country to discourage students from consuming fizzy drinks and energy beverages. The focus of the campaign would be using a moderate amount of fat and sugar and promoting the importance of regular exercise and a balanced diet.

Proper regulation of the food and beverage industry would serve the interests of consumers in the long run. Safety standards and labelling regulations must be improved in the province and elsewhere.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2018.

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