Healthy Eating Policy and Food In School Guidelines
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DATE REVIEW DATE
November 2025 November 2027
Owner Version Number: Working Date:
Senior School Doctor Ver04)
Legal Sign-off by:
N/A
Legal Sign-off date:
N/A
Authorised by Exec: Authorised by Board: Effective date of Policy: Circulation:
November 2025 February 2024 Internal, Parent Portal
CONTENTS PURPOSE ...................................................................................................................... 3 AIMS ............................................................................................................................. 3 OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................. 4 FOOD IN SCHOOL GUIDELINES .................................................................................. 7 JESS DINER AND CANTEEN.......................................................................................... 7 FOOD PROVIDED BY OUTSIDE SUPPLIERS ................................................................... 7 SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?....................................................................................... 7
PURPOSE 1.1
A good diet is essential for good health and it is important that children and young people are provided with a solid foundation for establishing healthy life-long eating habits.
1.2
Studies show that more than 34% of children and adolescents in the UAE are either obese or overweight, and this weight gain is largely attributed to sedentary lifestyle, easy availability and selection of cheap and high calorific foods and poor nutritional education.
1.3
A balanced and nutritious diet feeds the mind as well as the body. Many studies have shown that children who eat well perform better at school.
1.4
This policy is designed to help children develop healthy eating habits and ensure that they have the energy and nutrition they need to get the most from their school day.
AIMS 2.1
To improve the nutritional quality of children’s diets and promote consistent messages about healthy eating.
2.2
To adopt a whole school food policy, which will ensure that the entire school community and the wider public understand the ethos of the school in relation to food and drink, both within the curriculum and in food and drink provision. JESS will aim for a culture of healthy eating and positive modelling by all adults within the school.
2.3
To ensure that food provision in school reflects the ethical and medical requirements of staff and students, e.g., religious, ethnic, vegetarian, medical and allergenic needs.
2.4
To ensure every student has access to a safe, easily available water supply during the school day.
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2.5
To make the provision and consumption of food an enjoyable and safe experience.
OBJECTIVES The aims above will be addressed through the following objectives: 3.1
Culture and Environment Packed Lunches: 3.1.1
To ensure that all packed lunches brought from home and consumed in school (or on school trips) provide the student with healthy and nutritious food that is similar to food served in school which is in line with food and nutrition in schools as set out by Dubai Municipality.
3.1.2
The school will ensure there is sufficient time to balance eating time and social time at breaks.
3.1.3
It is the responsibility of the parents/carers to provide an appropriate packed lunch container where food items can be stored securely and appropriately until the lunchtime period. Parents are advised to include an ice pack.
3.1.4
All waste and uneaten food is returned in the lunch box so that parents know what has been eaten.
3.1.5
Food groups to include in lunchboxes are:
3.1.6
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a)
Meat, fish, protein alternatives
b)
Dairy foods
c)
Grains, cereal and starch vegetables
d)
Fruit and vegetables
Packed lunches should not include: a)
Snacks such as crisps. Instead, seeds, vegetables and fruit (with no added sugar or fat).
b)
Confectionery such as chocolate bars, chocolate-coated biscuits, chocolate spread, sweets and chewing gum.
c)
Meat products such as sausage roll, individual pies, corned meat and sausage/chipolatas should be included only occasionally (no more than twice a week).
d)
Fizzy or sugary drinks.
3.2
3.3
3.4
Special diets and allergies 3.2.1
The school recognises that some students may require special diets that do not allow for the standards to be met exactly. In this case parents and carers are urged to be responsible in ensuring that packed lunches are as healthy as possible. For these reasons students are also not permitted to swap food items.
3.2.2
To promote healthy eating we will regularly monitor the content of packed lunches and involve students and staff. We will talk to parents and carers where necessary and offer advice and guidance on bringing healthy packed lunches. If children consistently bring packed lunches that do not adhere to these guidelines a letter will be sent home together with a copy of this policy.
School Lunches 3.3.1
All school meals are provided by a contracted caterer, who acts in accordance with food standards as set out by Dubai Municipality.
3.3.2
Dubai Municipality conduct regular random checks to ensure food standards are met.
3.3.3
Each food item sold on the school premises must be verified for salt, sugar and saturated fats along with other nutrients as mentioned in the chart below. This should be provided for all food items provided in schools including snacks and beverages.
Nut allergies We are a nut free school, but we cannot guarantee that food products are totally nut free. Parents are asked to refrain from providing food products, which may contain nuts, in packed lunches or any other food brought into the school and children with a nut and/or peanut allergy have an individual management plan. Staff are trained to recognise and manage allergic reactions.
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3.5
Promotion of non-food rewards JESS does not encourage the regular eating of sweets or other foods high in sugar or fat, especially as a reward for good behaviour or academic or other achievements. This includes celebrating birthdays with birthday cake.
3.6
Water All children are encouraged to bring in a water bottle (clearly marked with the child’s name) so they can have access to water throughout the day. Water coolers are located throughout the school for additional access to drinking water.
3.7
3.8
Food in the curriculum 3.7.1
At JESS we support a whole school food policy which should address effective nutritional education within the curriculum.
3.7.2
We aim to provide an environment that educates children and encourages healthy eating habits that will positively influence the learning and behaviour of students so that these habits stay with our students and influence their food choices in the future.
3.7.3
All children should have the opportunity to acquire the practical skills to prepare simple nutritious dishes from basic ingredients by the time they are 16.
3.7.4
Children should also be taught how to read food labels. This will enable them to compare foods and make better decisions of what to eat and develop a greater understanding of salt, sugar and saturated fats in food items.
3.7.5
The entitlement to cook will mean that every young person who wants to can learn basic cooking skills through dedicated lessons in food preparation techniques, diet and nutrition, hygiene and safety, and wise food shopping.
3.7.6
Children will also have the opportunity to learn about healthy eating and nutrition through health education provided by the Health Office and outside service providers (e.g. Parkview Mediclinic nutrition talks), as well as through the school website/newsletters.
Relationships with Parents/Teachers 3.8.1
To inform, involve and support parents in making health choices for their children through communication at parent evenings, newsletters and the school website.
3.8.2
To provide professional development to school staff on the importance of healthy eating and physical activity and their connection to learning.
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FOOD IN SCHOOL GUIDELINES 4.1
Dubai Municipality regulates every aspect of food prepared onsite by schools and food brought into schools by external service providers.
4.2
All food establishments and related service providers must be registered on the Foodwatch platform as per the mandate of Dubai Municipality.
JESS DINER AND CANTEEN 5.1
JESS Diner (Arabian Ranches) and JESS Canteen (Jumeirah) is managed by Ben’s Farmhouse, which is a Dubai Municipality registered and licensed food vendor.
FOOD PROVIDED BY OUTSIDE SUPPLIERS 6.1
Food Related Permits are required for any other food activities at events within School. For any ‘Food Activity at Events’, the registration requirements applicable for in school events are: 6.1.1
the food business participating in the event must be registered on the Foodwatch platform;
6.1.2
if the food is pre-prepared and supplied to the event, the supplier must be registered on Foodwatch platform, and the supplier must have outdoor catering listed as their business activity.
SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? 7.1
Unfortunately, schools cannot allow homemade food to be brought into school for events if it the provider does not comply with the regulations outlined in section 6.
7.2
Pre-packaged food brought from shops and supermarkets will be permitted in school, because shops and supermarkets are licensed food establishments within Dubai.
7.3
JESS Diner and JESS Canteen can provide food for any events within school.
7.4
Food Trucks with a Business License and facilities located in Dubai will be allowed in School.
For further information, please refer to the Dubai Municipality website.
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