Junk food, as defined by Smith (2005), is as any food perceived to be unhealthy and of low nutritional value. The plight of the sale of junk food in schools has been highlighted lately and there seems to be a divided opinion among all. Statistics have proven that the nutritional value of food intake by Australian children has been declining over the past few decades and junk food is believed to be the culprit (Tran 2005). As so, I strongly believe that junk food should be banned in schools as it contains little nutritional value, contributes to litter problems and contradicts with the advocacy of healthy diet.
True to its name, junk food contains little nutritional value whatsoever. As projected by Health Foundation (2005), a large proportion of snack food consumed is low in nutritional value. Ardent junk food fans vehemently promote its mouth-watering taste, what with the different flavours offered by a variety of brands in the market. Oblivious to them, however, chemical additives, artificial flavouring, colouring, preservatives and excessive sugar are commonly added to junk food during the manufacturing process to enhance the taste and prolong its shelf life. These additives, when consumed, may trigger behavioural problems and cause obesity (Smith 2005).
Furthermore, junk food packaging contributes to litter problems in the society (The Food Show 2005). Junk food nowadays comes in neatly-packed or vacuum-sealed packaging in the name of hygiene and convenience. These packagings, when not treated responsibly, are going to end up on the floor or any nooks and crannies. Laziness explains people’s preference to throw wrappings away than to look for a litter bin. Not only would the wrappings be an eyesore, people would have valid excuses to throw more rubbish. As a result, city councils have to incur extra cleaning costs to get rid of the litter or risk tarnishing the country’s image (Smith 2005).
On another note, the sale of junk food in schools contradicts their responsibility to educate healthy diet as part of the syllabus (Tran 2005). It is impossible to tell children to not indulge excessively in junk food when it is readily available in the canteen. A survey by the Australian Nutrition Journal (2004) has proved that adolescents eat more fat and sugar and less fresh fruit and vegetables than the recommended intake at home. By providing healthier food options in the school canteen instead, students can be made to realise that healthy food can taste as good as junk food. After all, students’ health should be the school’s utmost priority.
In a nutshell, I am all for the banning of the sale of junk food in schools due the above reasons. Though junk food may hold a place in children’s heart for being divinely palatable, the potential banes it may bring should be enough to wake people up. Harsh as it may sound, I reckon it is time we put a ban on the sale of junk food in schools to avoid ruining our future generation any further. For those against the notion, I say it is now or never.