Summary:
These guidelines seek to address the increasing rates of overweight and obesity in Jamaica by implementing restrictions on beverages, particularly in schools.
Description:
The interim guidelines provide for a gradual increase in restrictions on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), particularly in schools. The scope of those measures are related to all public educational institutions. In this sense, involves all individuals, companies or groups commercializing beverages in schools.
The interim guidelines prohibits SSBs (chapter 4), namely:
- carbonated beverages (sodas), fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened waters, coffee and tea that are above the maximum sugar concentration as set out in the implementation schedule contained within the guidelines.
However, among those beverages allowed, there are SSBs (including flavoured and infused water) at or below the maximum sugar concentration as set out in the implementation schedule (Chapter 4). Other beverages permitted are plain water, unsweetened flavored and infused water, unsweetened juices, unsweetened coconut water, unsweetened milk or milk products and unsweetened milk substitutes and milk substitute products.
In addition, it also recommends to discourage the use of artificial sweeteners.