Should schools ban vending machines, asks Hong Kong parent worried about daughter’s snacking

A Hong Kong parent writes: I have a strong belief that eating good food is important but since my daughter started high school this year it’s been very hard to supervise and keep track of what she’s eating. She wants to eat at the tuck shop with friends, and although there are some healthy options they sell a lot of junk food, too. Also there are vending machines at school that sell confectionery, crisps and fizzy drinks. Don’t schools need to ban these?

I am in total agreement with you concerning vending machines. On the one hand, schools are teaching about the importance of healthy eating as part of the curriculum, and on the other, overpriced junk food is constantly on display, tempting students.

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In a world where childhood obesity has become a major problem it seems hypocritical to sell this type of food in schools. Unfortunately, vending machines often make money for educational institutions.

A primary school in Britain, determined to promote healthy eating, has gone as far as banning certain foods in pupils’ lunchboxes. If more than one item of unhealthy food, such as crisps, biscuits and cakes, are brought to school they can be removed by staff. Although this caused a backlash from some parents who believed things had been taken too far, the principal stood her ground in a quest to ensure the pupils had a healthy, balanced diet. Fizzy or flavoured drinks were also banned as part of the “food and drink policy”.

I’m horrified at the snacks and meals that some children take to school. One boy in my class was given a packet of biscuits for his lunch, and another a cold burger and fries from a well known junk food chain. I often wonder who has packed their lunchbox and whether parents actually know what it contains.