The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Education has prohibited soft drinks in schools across the kingdom as they don't meet the health requirements, according to spokeswoman Ibtesam Al Shehri.
The initiatives are in line with the government's Health Transformation Programme, which is a part of Vision 2030, a large-scale initiative to modernize and enhance both the country's private and public sectors.
Also read: Saudi Arabia's ministry supports the enrollment of children of illegal residents in schools
The ministry of education will keep an eye on school canteens to make sure they follow the authorities' prescribed nutritional standards. In an effort to increase efficiency and promote competition, it has also asked schools to permit the private sector to offer catering and food services.
As reported by The National, a resident in Jeddah, said, "It's really a relief to know canteens won't be serving high sugar content options and I hope kids can be offered healthier food options to help them lead a healthy lifestyle, as it helps parents who want to provide those for children at home."
According to the World Health Organization, there are 422 million diabetics worldwide, the majority of whom reside in low- and middle-income countries. The condition is also said to be directly responsible for 1.5 million fatalities annually.
Al Shehri stated that the education minister, Hamad Al Sheikh, wants the soft drink ban to be in effect by the beginning of the new school year.
Furthermore, the spokeswoman reaffirmed their readiness to receive the students in every area, including completing essential services that will be rendered to them, printing the curricula, and distributing them to schools.
Also read: Planning to visit Saudi Arabia? Here are 6 activities that you must try before summer ends
