The Punjab Food Authority (PFA), in partnership with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), has introduced nutritious fruit bars for schoolchildren as part of efforts to tackle child malnutrition under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
PFA Director General Muhammad Asim Javaid said the initiative aims to promote healthy eating habits among children by replacing low-nutrition market snacks with healthier options.
He stressed that children cannot perform well in the future unless their growth and nutrition are properly supported.
The PFA, he added, is working on modern communication strategies to encourage children to adopt nutritious diets and to train parents, teachers, and students on healthy food choices.
Under the Chief Minister’s ongoing School Meal Program, 20,000 children enrolled in 70 schools are receiving daily meals providing 480 calories.
The program includes pre- and post-screening of students’ weight, height, and BMI, with a Phase-2 nutrition report to be issued after assessments.
The DG said market snacks often fail to meet nutritional standards, making the introduction of fruit bars an important step toward improving children’s dietary intake.
He described the initiative as a significant milestone in providing healthy snacking options to schoolchildren.
He affirmed that all available resources are being utilized to ensure better child health in line with the Chief Minister’s vision for a healthier Punjab.
We don’t need freaking fruit bars. We need to afford food again
Food prices are record high. Bring those down.
Will they have the CMs photo on the cover?