Cabinet OK's bill on nutritious school food

Bill would require the health minister to be consulted about the nutritional composition of food in schools.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Baked vegetables in oilve oil 311 (photo credit: Daniel Lila)
Baked vegetables in oilve oil 311
(photo credit: Daniel Lila)
The cabinet approved a government bill to supervise the quality of food served and sold in educational institutions on Sunday. The bill is due to receive its first reading this week.
Education Minister Gideon Sa’ar initiated the bill, which if approved will require the health minister to be consulted about the nutritional composition of food in schools.
According to the bill, companies that supply the food will have to publicize the nutritional value and ingredients of what is served and sold. At the beginning of every school year, principals will have to provide students and parents with instructions and conditions for selling and serving the food.
Any food manufacturer or supplier who does not meet the legal conditions for approved food will be fined a one-time payment of NIS 6,000, according to the bill.
Such companies will be fined NIS 3,000 for every day afterward that they violate the law.
If the nutritional value of the food products is not announced, the fine will be NIS 1,500.
According to the bill, the education minister will appoint supervisors who will have the authority to check food in schools and take samples for lab examinations. The aim of the legislation is to ensure that the food is not full of empty calories which cause obesity, and that it is healthy and nutritious.