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Canteen handlers attend healthy talks (bb-2/7/07)

THE Community Nutrition Services Division, Health Services Department of Ministry of Health with the cooperation of Koperasi BKSS of the same ministry is proactively embarking on a project to educate food handlers and public on the importance of maintaining a healthy way of life by reducing the intake of unhealthy food or sugar-sweetened beverages.

For a start, a canteen run by Koperasi BKSS at RIPAS Hospital is chosen as a modal for the pilot project. Officers has made some visits to the canteen and taken samples of a variety of drinks for a laboratory test. Initially, the division focuses their target on beverages popularly ordered by customers to check their calorie contents and the amount of sugar added to the drinks. With the findings, the division will be able to come up with general ideas, solutions and advises to canteen handlers to limit an excessive intake of sugar that would pose a healthy risk along with other harmful additives.

Hjh Roseyati giving a talk

In the long run, the scope of the project will be extended to food consumption and it will involve the participation of other canteen handlers in other ministries. The initiative being implemented by the division would in a way helps to fend off the alarming increase of obesity and other health-related illnesses among the population in the country. It is hoped the project will generate an interest and awareness especially from the public (customers) on the values of maintaining a healthy lifestyles through a good and balanced-diet intake of food and drink.

The talk was conducted by two officers from the division; Hjh Roseyati DP Hj Yakub and Nur Asma Aini Hj Mat Yassin. It was attended by members of Koperasi BKSS Board of Directors, canteen handlers and public. It was held yesterday (29/6/07) at RIPAS Hospital.