Minister sends strong warning to food companies targeting school children

​Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman has issued a stern warning to commercial firms seeking to market ultra-processed foods to students as the new school term gets underway, declaring that schools remain strictly off-limits to businesses that contravene official nutrition policies.

​Speaking on the rollout of the government’s new school breakfast initiative and updated health guidelines at St Mary’s Primary on Monday morning, Blackman cautioned corporate bodies against attempting to win over young consumers under the guise of donations or promotional giveaways.

​”Schools are hands off,” Blackman said. “School is not a place if you’re selling ultra processed foods to think you can come in and… court students by way of simply donating things, for example, that you may think that the child may want, but yet your company is going against the school administration policy.”