Move over, Bloomberg: Turkey to ban sweets at schools
by Daily Sabah
ISTANBULAug 21, 2015 - 12:00 am GMT+3
by Daily Sabah
Aug 21, 2015 12:00 am
Turkey plans to ban the sale of foodstuffs containing sugar at schools after a successful ban on sugary drinks in a move that will likely instill hope in former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg who failed in his attempts to curb sugary drink sales in the city.
According to Sabah daily, the National Education Ministry is set to introduce a ban on foodstuffs containing sugar, such as chocolate and cakes, on sale at schools. If successful, this will mark the third phase of a series of bans at schools on foods and beverages linked to obesity. Turkey previously banned the sale of potato chips and soda at school cafeterias.
The ban hopes to decrease obesity levels in the country, which is 8.3 percent among children. Turkish children increasingly avoid physical activity, according to reports on obesity. Experts attribute high obesity figures to parents who do not exercise daily and set a bad example for their children. According to surveys, grade school students spent less than two hours outdoors on the weekends and even less time during the week. Increasing obesity rates are also attributed to more time spent watching television and other indoor activities.
The move to ban foodstuffs with artificial sweeteners echoes a campaign by Michael Bloomberg, the prominent billionaire businessman and philanthropist who failed to impose a limit on soft drink size while he was the mayor of New York City despite his relentless campaign. Bloomberg's efforts, continued by his successor Bill de Blasio, to ban the sale of soft drinks in cups larger than 0.5 liters at all eateries in New York City did not come to fruition, as a court struck down a regulation on the issue citing that city hall overstepped its authority by attempting to introduce the ban. In the end, Bloomberg succeeded in imposing the ban indirectly in other places. His foundation donated to campaigns in Berkeley, California, and Mexico where drink taxes were implemented to curb the consumption of soft drinks. Several surveys point to a link between consuming sugar-sweetened beverages and childhood obesity. Health organizations also recommend limiting the consumption of these drinks.
Under the ministry's new regulation, chocolate, cakes, candies and ice cream will be prohibited at cafeterias. Instead, healthier foodstuffs will be sold. This includes fresh fruits and dried fruits, vegetables, milk, fresh juice, yogurt, cheese, boiled eggs and sugar-free gums.
A campaign against obesity is already in the works in Turkey. Spearheaded by the Health Ministry, the campaign promotes a healthy lifestyle through dietary changes, daily exercise and other lifestyle changes. The ministry occasionally organizes mass walks as part of the campaign as well.
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