Ultra-Processed Foods are Not in Alignment with the School Nutrition Policy

The Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition (BCOP Coalition); The Heart and Stroke
Foundation of Barbados (HSFB); The Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) and The Barbados
Association of Medical Practitioners (referred to herein after as “Civil Society”) recognise the
importance of responsible sponsorship in supporting youth sports and athletic programmes
across Barbados. Events such as the National Primary Schools’ Athletic Championships
(NAPSAC) provide vital spaces where the talent, energy and potential of our young people can
be nurtured in positive and healthy ways.

Sports is more than competition. It is one of the important environments where children develop
lifelong habits related to health, nutrition, discipline and physical fitness. These habits, when
established early, can persist well into adulthood and contribute significantly to healthier
communities.

For the above reasons, responsible and carefully aligned sponsorship of school sporting
events is essential — particularly when commercial messaging can easily be
misunderstood or misinterpreted by young audiences.

Civil Society notes that under the phased implementation approach of Barbados’ School
Nutrition Policy, certain products may not yet fall within the list of items currently considered
non-compliant. However, this transitional phase should not obscure the central principle of the
policy: school environments must ultimately be protected from the promotion and
alignment of ultra-processed foods (UPFs).

Civil Society also takes this opportunity to clarify an important principle: ultra-processed foods
are not consistent with the intent of the School Nutrition Policy, regardless of whether they
fall within transitional phases of implementation. The policy’s guiding objective is to reduce
children’s exposure to foods high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats and to promote healthier food
environments in schools.

This position is consistent with the strong recommendations of the World Health
Organization, which has repeatedly warned of the harmful health impacts associated with high
consumption of ultra-processed foods, particularly among children. It is also aligned with
recommendations from UNICEF which highlight promotion and marketing of unhealthy food and
beverages as in conflict with children’s enjoyment of their rights to health, life and development,
among others.

While the phased approach provides time for adjustment, the purpose and long-term direction of
the policy is clear. As the policy reaches its full implementation stage, the promotion or alignment of ultra-processed foods within school environments will not be consistent with its
objectives.

Civil Society’s concern therefore lies not only with specific products, but with the broader
messaging that may arise when brands associated with ultra-processed foods are linked to
school spaces. In particular, where brand identities are closely associated with completed meal
offerings that fall outside the spirit of the policy, it risks creating confusion about the standards
Barbados is working to establish.

Civil Society recognises that private sector engagement in youth development should occur and
this must be within clear regulatory frameworks that ensure such engagement is consistent with
children’s health and rights.

Barbados stands at a critical juncture. The decisions made today will influence not only the
health of individual children, but also the sustainability of the country’s healthcare system and
the well-being of future generations.

Protecting Barbadian children through strong policy implementation, responsible partnerships
and meaningful education is not an abstract ideal — it is an investment in the nation’s future.

Not only is full implementation of the School Nutrition Policy necessary, but the speed and
consistency of its implementation is also critical to its success. Rapid implementation is essential to
protecting a generation of Barbadian children and to ensuring that schools remain spaces that
nurture potential, reinforce healthy choices and support lifelong well-being.

-END-

DOWNLOAD PDF: Coalition Public Statement PDF adv_260319_193005