Cities and counties showed mixed reactions after amendments to the School Health Act (學校衛生法) passed by the legislature last month that ban the use of genetically modified (GM) food ingredients or processed food with such ingredients in school meals.
The ban is to be implemented next month at the earliest.
The Ministry of Education has estimated the cost of each meal is likely to increase by between NT$2 and NT$5. The New Taipei City Education Department said that it gave parents questionnaires to choose from various options.
The questionnaires showed that parents at 245 schools chose not adjust the meal fees, while 33 schools decided to adjust the fee by between NT$2 and NT$5 and 19 schools decided to cut the number of days fruit would be provided.
Huang Ching-yi (黃靜怡) deputy director of New Taipei City’s Department of Education, said before the amendment 144 New Taipei City schools had already banned the use of genetically modified food, so the impact is expected to be minor.
The government has allowed parents at schools to make their own choices and many decided that an increase of between NT$2 and NT$5 was acceptable.
The Taoyuan Department of Education said the financial situation of the city is the best among the six municipalities, and it is to foot the bill for the NT$5 increase to use non-genetically modified ingredients in school meals. It is estimated that the city is likely to increase its budget by more than NT$40 million (US$1.2 million) to cover the cost of the subsidies.
Miaoli County Department of Education said that most schools have adopted the approach of cutting the number of days they provide fruit from two days to one day per week.
The department said that although the number of days fruit is being provided has been cut, it will continue to ensure students have a healthy and balanced diet under the guidance of nutritionists.
Chiayi County Department of Education said that finances are strained and it is hoping that the central government can pay the additional cost of using non-GM food ingredients. The department said that soybean products are a common ingredient in school meals, and the ban would have a great impact.
The department said it is likely to increase inspections to ensure that manufacturers provide certifications to verify products are not from genetically modified sources.
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