National Policy On Healthy Catering Launch

With the rising number of non–communicable diseases (NCD) in the country, the Coalition Government is expected to launch a Policy called ‘National Policy on Healthy Catering and Sales of Food and Non-Alcohol Beverages in Government Facilities’.

Acting Minister for Health and Minister for Lands Filimoni Vosarogo announced this at the traditional food exhibition in Naitasiri yesterday.

Mr Vosarogo said the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture is finalising the Fiji Policy on Food and Nutrition Security- a whole-of-government policy that they expect to have approved in Cabinet before the end of the year.

“The policy prioritises advocating nutritional issues and mainstreaming them into government decisionmaking, promotes and sustains household food security, improves national nutritional status, promotes healthy diets and lifestyles, and strengthens collaboration with development partners.”

Healthy meals at national level Ministry of Health chief dietitian, Ateca Kama, said the intention of the policy was to provide healthy meals at national levels with the support of the Ministry of Civil Services in developing the policy which will be launched on the 14 of next month.

Ms Kama said the Traditional Foods Exhibition is creating network with women from different provinces that would be vital in the catering process.

“The provisions of meals and refreshments in Government facilities will have a huge impact in changing the we eat,” she said.

“It needs to start at national level then it will create a positive change at grass root level,” Ms Kama said.

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