Sale of patties, rolls, and samosas prohibited in Colombo school canteens

The Colombo Municipal Council has taken steps to completely ban the sale of deep-fried foods such as rolls, patties, samosas, and cutlets, which are in high demand among students, as well as ice cream and ice packets, in canteens operating in schools within the Colombo city limits. This decision has been implemented in accordance with the special series of guidelines newly introduced by the Municipal Council, titled 'Colombo Municipal Council School Canteen Premises Policy'.

In addition, flavored milk packets, various types of biscuits, and yogurt drinks, which students are constantly tempted to consume, have also been included in the list of prohibited foods. The main objective is to transform school canteens into sustainable places filled with healthy food, thereby making it the primary goal of the Colombo Municipal Council to foster a healthy generation of children with good health habits and high nutritional levels.

According to the new series of regulations, permitted food types for sale in school premises have been presented under six main categories, including foods containing grains and starch, vegetables and leafy greens, as well as plant and animal proteins. Furthermore, fresh fruits, fresh milk and products made from fermented milk, as well as oily nuts including cashews and various types of oils, also fall under these permitted categories. Accordingly, in the future, only main meals, nutritionally rich snacks, fresh milk and curd products, and quality nutritious beverages will be allowed for sale to schoolchildren.