Grenada Moves Forward With Sugar Ban In Schools
In the United States the USDA previously banned the sale of sports drinks and sugary beverages in schools, with parents and school officials looking to restrict options to more healthier alternatives.
But have these bans worked?
Some say that it has shown limited impact, that it might fuel an increase in other sugar-alt drinks, researchers have previously suggested that perhaps we should consider that these bans simply do not work.
Still, you can find many soda bans in various places today, and in more countries than just in the United States alone.
Just recently, Grenada declared its own sugar ban for drinks in schools, in an effort to try and get kids to make healthier choices and restrict access to these products.
It isn't just drinks either, they are going to be banning 'sweet snacks' in school as well. Vendors will not be permitted to sell carbonated drinks or sugar-filled snacks at either public or private school locations around Grenada.
Parents won't be allowed to make the decision for their children and family either, as the state officials have declared parents are prohibited from including these items in any lunches for students to bring with them to school.
Wanting children to eat healthy is a great goal, but do we need to use such violence in order to achieve it? If someone does not want to make the choice to drink a healthier drink, should we force them to do otherwise?
“Excessive consumption of sweet beverages is one the major drivers of obesity, yet most Caribbean children are still consuming carbonated drinks loaded with sugars on a daily basis,” - M. Hutton, Executive Director of the (HCC) Healthy Caribbean Coalition
This ban comes as a result of increasing rates in obese and overweight children, in what has been described as an obesity epidemic in the Caribbean that they describe as being fueled by sugar.
Officials hope that reducing the access in schools is the first step to addressing that problem. But they don't stop the children from accessing these items in any other places for now.
Jamaica has also gone ahead and introduced a similar ban, that went into effect last year. They went even further to include the ban in public health facilities as well. Now manufacturers are busy trying to reduce the sugar content so that they can come up with products that are going to be accepted.
Aside from bans to try and stop access, taxes have also been considered in various places.
Previous investigations have suggested that higher incomes are associated with drinking fewer sugary drinks, so these taxes are often looked at as simply new taxes on the already overburdened poor communities.
It's unlikely that violence in the way of legislation or taxes are going to make people healthier in the long run, but it is the most sensible solution that they can come up with for now.
Thinking that in Jamaica
the people are very conscientious regarding their diet. You hardly ever see overweight individuals. I mean like
never.
Hi @super-irie ,
It is good that people in Jamaica are watching their diet. A good example will be for everyone.
Hi @doitvoluntarily,
This is the first time I hear about this law, I'm for it.
My children love sweet carbonated drinks, especially Coca-Cola. But I rarely buy it for them. Priority is given to natural juices or just pure water.
that is unfortunate that you support it. Wanting to drink healthy, or for others to drink healthy, is a great idea, but using babylon to inflict force on people who would like to peacefully do otherwise? ... i dont think reggae culture is about turning to babylon for health advice smh 😱 😱 😂
unfortunately laws like this infringe upon basic liberty, regardless of if they are trying to promote a 'healthy initiative'
I understood you.
To "de-sugar" is always a good idea, but watch out
for the artificial sweetener like aspartame, i think now
hidden under a new name....
https://healingoracle.ch/2018/03/20/warning-aspartame-has-been-renamed-and-is-now-being-marketed-as-a-natural-sweetener-amino-sweet/
Best natural sugar alternatives:
coconut blossom sugar (luxury for your coffee;), xylite (comes from trees) and natural stevia (some don't like the taste)
Or just no sugar or low brown natural sugar...
Avoid the white industrial sugar.
Bless up
Stay healthy my friends ;)
it is a good idea! but it is a direction that we surely don't need babylon to force us into...:)
True, people should always have enough time to "adjust" and learn.
But there are a couple of topics around, where they better learn fast...
Interesting... I would love to have been a language auxiliar this year, just to see that! lol
I don't know if that will work, either. As for the forcing choices, though... Maybe a better option would have been more health and diet education.
In my opinion, it is a vague policy, it is better to create more publicity about the products that carry this problem and the consequences that they may have, it is better to be forming free conscience than through prohibitions, this will bring conflicts with the growing generation.
right, education can achieve the same 😉
When will they learn, banning things makes it more appealing to many . I can imagine the entrepreneurial kids slanging snickers making a killing.
hahaha right? then they are going to get their parents in trouble 😂😂