DepEd: Soft drinks, junk food still banned in schools

The sale of soft drinks and junk food in schools is still prohibited amid violations in the last school year, the Department of Education (DepEd) said yesterday.

- By BELLA CARIASO

In an interview over dzBB, Education Assistant Secretary Roger Masapol said that school officials should ensure the strict implementation of the ban on soft drinks and junk food in their respective jurisdictions.

DepEd Order No. 13 issued by then secretary Leonor Briones prohibited the marketing of soft drinks and junk food in public schools all over the country, in a bid to promote healthy eating among students and teachers.

Masapol said that as school canteens are operated by cooperatives, DepEd will strengthen the school-based feeding program as the government has provided big funding.

DepEd said food classified under the "green" category such as unsweetened milk, unsweetened coconut juice, water, rice, chicken, lean meat, fish and fresh fruits should always be available in school canteens.