As Kushubakova noted, the regulatory documents on sanitary and epidemiological requirements for educational institutions list the products that cannot be sold in school cafeterias.
Among such items are: deep-fried foods, natural coffee, tonic and energy drinks, alcohol, soda, chewing gum, candies, and many other harmful products.
“Earlier, according to a government decree, a prohibitive measure was introduced on the sale of alcoholic and tobacco products within 100 meters of schools; however, this document was revoked. Currently, a new project is being developed, which is already under consideration in the Cabinet of Ministers. It will concern the restriction of the sale of harmful products, such as chips, carbonated drinks, and instant noodles, within a radius of 100 meters from educational institutions,” the doctor added.
Maria Kushubakova also urged parents to monitor their children's nutrition.
“It is impossible to always be near the child to explain which products are harmful. Many parents are not ready to invest even small amounts in school meals, yet they allocate large sums for pocket money. It is not uncommon to see children spending 200 soms in stores on harmful products. It is recommended to limit or completely refrain from giving pocket money so that they can eat better in the school cafeteria, where only healthy dishes—baked or boiled—are offered,” she noted.
The sanitary doctor emphasized that improper nutrition can lead to food poisoning and other long-term health problems.
“The consequences may manifest in five to six, and sometimes even ten years, and they will be irreversible. This can lead to stomach ulcers, chronic gastritis, allergies, and dermatitis. Therefore, parents need to conduct explanatory work with their children about the importance of healthy eating,” summarized Maria Kushubakova.
