The Health Ministry has denied claims by the teachers’ union that educators are being tasked with inspecting lunchboxes, saying new rules only appy to tuck shops.

In reply to questions by Times of Malta, the Health Ministry said the rules banning junk food from schools only applied to those selling such items.

“The health and education authorities would like to make it clear that at no stage were teachers expected to check any food that is brought to school by children. In line with our ongoing Healthy Eating campaign, suggestions were provided on what type of foods can be procured to be in line with the legislation,” a government spokeswoman said.

The ministry was responding after the teachers’ union yesterday instructed members not to inspect students’ lunchboxes.

The Malta Union of Teachers said a legal notice requiring teachers to inspect students’ food had not been discussed with educators and enforced a punitive, “repressive” approach rather than encouraging teachers to promote healthy eating.

The union said the legal notice imposed fines on teachers ranging from €100 to €2,500. Teachers also risked facing criminal action if they did not comply, the MUT claimed.

At no stage were teachers expected to check any food brought to school by children

Among the directives issued, MUT members were told not to communicate with the health authorities in any way and to refuse visits by representatives of such authorities.

It also instructed teachers not to participate in any initiatives by the health authorities and not to carry out any inspections of lunches brought to school by the children.

Teachers were also to ignore the list of foods deemed as acceptable and which were highlighted in a circular sent to them, the MUT said. They include junk and fried foods, desserts, sweets and highly-processed foods.

If educators were fined, the union added, they were to inform the union immediately.

Explaining the contents of the new legal notice, the government spokeswoman said that, as part of its efforts to encourage healthy eating at schools, the government had for the past two years listed the types of food to be sold from school tuckshops.

“In August of this year, a legal notice was issued, which refers to food provided by the school and which requires schools to follow established criteria for healthy foods. This is based on the principle of healthy food procurement that is also being promoted across the EU and is highly commended by the World Health Organisation,” she added.

Reacting, the MUT said it was still not satisfied or assured by the government’s reaction. “The legal notice is clear and affects all school activities, which involve consumption of food,” it insisted.