Feeding Our Future: Strengthening School Food Policies for a Healthier Generation

Food is a source of national pride for many Malaysians, and our diverse cuisine reflects our multicultural heritage. During Ramadan, people from all backgrounds visit the many bazaars that spring up across the country. With Hari Raya just around the corner, many of us are already looking forward to the festive dishes that come with it. 

In education, food plays a vital role in shaping students’ development and learning outcomes, as proper nutrition enhances concentration, memory, and energy levels. Yet, despite Malaysia’s rich food culture, many children still face the threat of malnutrition. The prevalence of stunting and obesity has increased among children under five, while one in three school-going children is either overweight or obese. This trend is mirrored by the rise of diet-related diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease among adults, highlighting the need to cultivate healthy eating habits from a young age.

What’s Cooking in Our School Canteens?

While Malaysia’s Healthy School Canteen Guidelines were introduced in 2011 to improve food quality and promote balanced meals, many school canteens continue offering low-nutritional food. Walk into any canteen today, and you’re likely to see nuggets, hotdogs and other processed food on display alongside sugary drinks, while healthier options like fruits, vegetables, and non-fried meals are limited. Co-operative or convenience shops on school grounds also often stock sugary packet drinks and low-nutrient ‘jajan’ or snacks. 

Schools are typically responsible for monitoring canteen food quality. However, this often takes a backseat as administrators and teachers juggle multiple priorities. Additionally, teachers and canteen operators may lack adequate nutritional awareness and may not view nutrition as a priority compared to issues like food hygiene. Schools and canteen operators are also rarely penalised unless a food poisoning incident occurs. At the same time, canteen operators face rising costs, and offering healthier food options is often associated with higher costs, lower demand and ultimately lower profits.

The willingness and ability of students and parents to recognise, adopt, and pay for healthier food also play a role. A study found that when asked about healthy food options at school, some students cited ‘roti canai,’ ‘roti coklat,’ nuggets, and sausages as examples. Similarly, past research has suggested that students perceive oily foods as healthy. Thus, there is a need to educate both adults and students so that healthier and well-informed choices can be made. Without strong incentives, pressure, and widespread nutritional awareness, the status quo is preserved and the problem perpetuates.

More Than Meals: Why School Meal Programmes Matter 

Given these challenges, school-based meal programmes are crucial in ensuring students receive the nourishment they need, especially among those with the greatest need. Research indicates that these programmes can boost enrollment and attendance, helping children stay in school and learn effectively. Furthermore, it is essential to ensure that students are not just eating enough but also eating right, as eating habits formed during adolescence often last a lifetime.

Source: Official Facebook page of YB Fadhlina Sidek, Minister of Education Malaysia.

The Rancangan Makanan Tambahan (RMT) is a long-standing intervention in Malaysia that was introduced to address nutritional concerns among primary school students, particularly those from low-income and rural communities. RMT provides daily meals and a box of milk during school days to eligible students. In Budget 2025, the government allocated RM869 million to the RMT programme, marking a consistent year-on-year increase and the government’s commitment to improving students’ wellbeing and educational outcomes through access to nutritious meals.

However,  implementation and enforcement challenges remain, mirroring canteen food quality issues. An evaluation of RMT found that many teachers assigned to administer the programme lack formal training. Schools also face administrative burdens such as unclear guidelines and ineffective monitoring due to limited resources. There have also been reports of subpar meal quality and portion inconsistencies. Addressing these challenges through stronger implementation support and better oversight could enhance the programme’s effectiveness and ensure students fully benefit from this initiative.

While the RMT addresses nutritional needs at the primary level, there is no equivalent nationwide programme for secondary school students, leaving a critical gap. The National Health and Morbidity Survey 2023 found that among adolescents aged 15-17, 27% were overweight or obese, while 15% experienced stunting. Currently, school-based initiatives by PIBGs, NGOs, foundations and Islamic councils exist to provide food assistance at the secondary level but these efforts remain limited and fragmented. Given the high cost of implementing large-scale food programmes, one potential approach is to pilot needs-based interventions in secondary schools with the highest need to incentivise attendance and support students’ overall learning experience.

Global Problems, Shared Solutions: Lessons From Abroad

Globally, the incidence of malnutrition remains a pressing challenge, and many countries implement some form of school-based health and nutrition interventions. Below are some examples of school meal programmes from other countries, offering valuable insights into how Malaysia can further strengthen its approach to combating poor nutrition.

Japan: A Holistic Approach to School Meals

Japan’s School Food Program (SFP) is a nationwide initiative that goes beyond meal provision and integrates food and nutrition education (Shokuiku) into the school curriculum. This approach promotes healthy eating habits, appreciation for traditional foods, and support for domestic agriculture, ensuring that students receive nutritious meals and develop lifelong healthy eating habits.

Unlike many systems, including Malaysia, that rely on canteen operators or teachers with limited expertise and capacity, Japan assigns Diet and Nutrition Teachers to schools. These specialists oversee meal planning, provide nutrition education, and promote healthy eating habits, strengthening the programme’s effectiveness. Additionally, centralised kitchens prepare meals for multiple schools, ensuring better quality control, cost efficiency, and adherence to the nutrition standards set.

The government also subsidises school meals, with reduced or waived costs for low-income families. In 2023, 40% of Japanese municipalities provided free school lunches to ease financial burdens. With most of its elementary and junior high schools already offering free meals, the government is considering a system to make school lunches free of charge nationwide.

England: Free School Meals 

In England, all students in the first three years of school in state-funded institutions receive free lunches, regardless of income. This policy enables young children to have access to nutritious meals during their crucial early development years. However, older students must qualify for Free School Meals (FSM) based on an income threshold, which some argue is set too low. As a result, some children in poverty fall through the cracks, leading to calls for the government to raise the income threshold for FSM and extend universal provision to more school years.

Similar to Malaysia, enforcement and compliance remain key challenges. Unclear roles among school staff and governors contribute to a lack of accountability, and without proper monitoring, some schools fail to meet food quality standards.

Bridging the Gaps: A Dietitian and Educator’s Perspective

Maxmilliana Fidelis Jani, Dietitian and Teach For Malaysia 2019 Fellow

Having worked in nutrition and education, Maxmilliana Fidelis Jani, a dietitian and Teach For Malaysia Fellow, highlights some key gaps and recommendations.

A significant concern is that school food providers are often outsourced vendors with expertise in food service rather than nutrition, impacting meal quality. Thus, an overlooked opportunity is the role of nutrition professionals in schools. Maxmilliana notes that “there has been little indication of government interest in expanding opportunities for dietetics and nutrition graduates beyond conventional medical roles.” Embedding nutrition professionals in schools, as seen in Japan, could be a crucial step toward improving children’s nutrition and long-term health outcomes.

She also believes that we need to rethink how we balance nutrition with the cost, quality & appeal of school meals to drive a more solution-oriented discussion. In addition, we must consider the importance of nutrition education to foster healthy eating habits.

Strengthening School Food Policies for Lasting Impact

Ensuring that Malaysian students have access to nutritious meals is not just a health issue but also an educational and economic one, shaping their wellbeing, performance, and long-term health. By strengthening policies, expanding school meal programmes, and fostering healthy eating habits from an early age, we can take meaningful strides toward a future where every child is well-nourished and ready to learn while laying the foundation for healthier generations.