Junk Food draft #2

Smith (2005) defines junk food as food that has less nutritional with artificial additives and flavourings. Junk food use to be the favourite for all of the kids and it is available everywhere nowadays. According to Health Foundation (2005), moat junk food has low nutritional values. Due to this factor, the sale of junk food in school canteen has become a disputable issue in the society. Therefore, I strongly agree that the sale of junk food in school canteen should be banned as junk food contains various types of chemical substances, harms our health and create litter problems in schools.

Firstly, junk is detrimental to our health as well (Smith 2005). High content of fat, oil and sugar can cause obesity especially. According to Australian Nutrition Journal (2004), fat and sugar intake at home among 12-14 year-old Australian children are much higher than recommended. Meanwhile, fresh fruits and vegetables which are strongly recommended are less preferred. This situation is worsened when junk food is sold in school canteen. Children who cannot control end up getting obesity which in turn can cause chronic heart diseases, osteoarthritis and cancers (Weekend News 2005). Besides, Reynolds in Weekend News (2005) also states that junk food increases dental problems among primary-school kids as junk food basically contains excessive sugar. Kamiri, a dietitian from The Food Show (2005) says that school authorities should put students’ health as their priority.

On top of that, junk food contains various types of chemicals substances such as additives, flavourings, colourings and preservatives. These chemicals make junk food tastier and last longer. However, these synthetic chemicals bring negative impacts on children. Children who consume junk food are hyperactive and less concentrate (Smith 2005). This is also further supported by Green in The Food Show (2005) who says that students behave better in class after their school stop selling junk food. Therefore, it is obvious that students’ academic performance will be affected in the long run if junk food were not to be banned.

Another consequence of the sale of junk food in school canteen gives rise to litter problem. Children tend to throw elsewhere once they finish eating their junk food. It severely affects the school reputation with serious litter problem. Moreover, it adds on the cleaning costs in which can be channeled for more productive purposes for students welfare (Smith 2005). Green in The Food Show (2005) also says that the school compounds are cleaner without the sale of junk food. School cleaners can also have sufficient time to carry out other maintenance works which beneficial to everyone.

All in all, I strongly believe that the sale of junk food in school canteen should be banned as it brings more harm than benefits to school children. It contains many synthetic chemicals, affects our health and gives rise to litter problems. In my opinion, the situations can worsens as school children are not mature enough to deter junk food temptation. Majority of them will end up consume too much. Therefore, it should be banned.