Excessive intake of sugar increases not only the risk of obesity in children, but also their chance of suffering from tooth decay. Children having sugary drinks will even develop a sweet tooth, which in turn hinders the development of a healthy eating habit. In a survey conducted by the Department of Health in 2016, it was found that about half of the interviewed kindergartens and child care centres would provide young children with full-fat or sweetened milk, such as chocolate milk and fruit-flavoured milk. It is also a cause for concern that many kindergartens and child care centres add full-fat milk, condensed milk, evaporated milk and sugar to instant drinks and use food as a reward.
The “Healthy Drinks at School” Charter was launched in 2018/19 school year for three school years, with a view to:
- creating and enhancing a school environment and culture conducive to healthy eating by fostering closer collaboration with kindergartens and child care centres; and
- reducing young children’s sugar intake by promoting healthy drinks and not offering unhealthy ones at schools.
Given the positive feedback and support received from schools, the “StartSmart@school.hk” Campaign will continue to implement the Charter in 2024/25 school year for three school years.
We sincerely invite all kindergartens and child care centres to become a signatory of the Charter and pledge to promote healthy drinks at schools. For more information, please refer to details of the Charter. Schools interested in becoming a signatory of the Charter may download and fill in the Letter of Commitment for the Charter, and return it to the “StartSmart@school.hk” Secretariat by fax, email or post.
List of “Healthy Drinks at School Charter” Signatories
Enquiry:
“StartSmart@school.hk” Secretariat
- Telephone： 3151 7621
- Fax： 3585 2130
- Email： startsmart@dh.gov.hk
- Address： Unit A-D, 8/F, China Oversea Building, 139 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong