The Public Health Institute of Iceland recently released a study which revealed that food served in cafeterias in Icelandic elementary schools does not meet acceptable healthy standards.
Project Leader at the Public Health Institute Jórlaug Heimisdóttir said the results of the research show that processed meat products, fat and salty foods are too common in school kitchens nationwide, and that too little fish, fruit and vegetables are served. Morgunbladid reports.
“Preferably [processed meat products] should not be served more often than once a month, but they are served much more often. That is very negative and we have to reverse this development. These products are often fat and salty and that is not at all healthy for children,” Heimisdóttir said.
Heimisdóttir said that on the bright side, sweets and sweet drinks are not common in Iceland’s elementary schools. “Practically no elementary school serves soda for pupils and not many have sweet juices. Water is the most common drink,” she said.
The Public Health Institute of Iceland sent questionnaires to all principals of elementary schools in the country and 70 to 75 percent responded.
