A viral Threads post has reignited debate over Malaysian school canteen food, with many calling for healthier, more nutritious meals for students.
CANTEEN FOOD in Malaysian schools has long been a subject of debate, as operators are expected to keep prices affordable while ensuring meals meet nutritional standards for children.
However, the public has raised concerns about the quality of food sold in school canteens, alleging that many serve deep-fried and heavily processed foods that could pose long-term health risks to growing children.
A recent post on Threads compared food served in Malaysian school canteens with meals provided in Japanese and South Korean schools, questioning why the government could not adopt similar standards.
“These growing children need to prioritise protein-rich foods such as chicken, beef and milk. Here, I see them eating curry noodles, instant noodles and drinking cordial beverages.
“Sometimes, I feel sorry seeing these children’s development being stunted compared to East Asian children,” the post read.
As the post gained traction, many netizens agreed that local schools should introduce more nutritionally balanced meals. However, most said parents should take the initiative to help fund healthier school meals.
“Yes, but on the condition that parents pay for it. If a nutritious meal costs around RM4, it would only require an additional RM80 to RM100 a month. It’s no different from giving children pocket money,” one user suggested.
Another user alleged: “Seriously, our students deserve better. I once bought a sweet drink from my child’s school, and honestly, it was ridiculously sweet. They seem to deliberately sell items that get children hooked on buying them every day, without considering the long-term harm to their health.”
While school meals in Japan are heavily subsidised and free for many families, one user pointed out that the programme is supported by the country’s relatively high tax revenues.
According to Free Malaysia Today, the price of food sold in school canteens is determined not only by the operators and schools but also by the Parent-Teacher Association (PIBG).
The news outlet reported that Malaysian School Canteen Association secretary Jazmi Hassan said operators do not receive subsidies for raw materials or preferential prices from suppliers, leaving them with the difficult task of balancing operating costs while ensuring food remains affordable for students.
