Preschool Compliance with Healthy Meals in Preschools Programme Guidelines and Proposed Restrictions on Processed Foods

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) or Health Promotion Board assesses preschools' compliance with the Healthy Meals in Preschools Programme guidelines; (b) if so, how many have been found non-compliant in each year over the last three years; and (c) whether ECDA intends to issue guidelines restricting or setting limits on processed or ultra-processed food in meals and snacks served to preschool children.

Answer:

             During compliance inspections, the Early Childhood Development Agency and the Health Promotion Board check that preschools provide nutritious, balanced and varied food to children based on the Healthy Meals in Preschools Programme (HMPP) guidelines.

2.          In the past three years, there have been less than a handful of preschools that did not meet nutritional guidelines. The preschools rectified their menus after being informed.

3.          Under the HMPP guidelines, processed food is not recommended to be served in preschools. However, processed products that meet the Healthier Choice Symbol criteria may be served for children aged 18 months and above within prescribed serving sizes. The HMPP guidelines also stipulate that sauces and condiments must not be used in meals for children aged below 12 months.