Junk food banned in Polish schools
PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge
24.10.2014 12:58
MPs have voted in favour of banning junk food in Polish schools, with the new regulations set to be enforced as of 1 January 2015.
photo - sxc.hu
Only one MP voted against the amendments, which were put forward by junior coalition partner the Polish Peasants' Party.
If the Senate approves the legislation, a long list of products including crisps, sweets, fizzy drinks and hamburgers will not be able to be either sold or provided on school premises.
Likewise, advertisements for such products will be forbidden in schools and in their immediate vicinity.
The laws affect both kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools, although schools for adults are exempted.
A recent UNICEF study indicated that 17 percent of Polish children suffer from obesity.
In the survey of 29 developed countries, Poland had the eighth worst rate of child obesity. Only three countries had over 20 percent: the United States, Greece and Canada.
426 MPs voted in favour of introducing the ban, and besides the one voice against, there were two abstentions. (nh)
Source: PAP/ AFP