The kitchen is concerned with managing their budget with the purchasing of Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS) ingredients or products due to the cost difference. On top of this, the current inflation of food prices has already elevated the current cost of production.
Preschools can consider purchasing the ingredients in bulk to reduce the cost.
Related questions
Based on the current guidelines, HPB is encouraging the use of ingredients or snacks that have the Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS) or meet HCS guidelines. Kindly note that ingredients are mostly bought in bulk and may not necessarily have the HCS symbol and/or Nutrition Information Panel (NIP) to assess immediately if it meets HCS guidelines e.g., soya sauce, tomato sauce, Demi-Glace Sauce, cereal in bulk etc. In addition, delays due to requesting for NIP from suppliers and vetting of the ingredients can have an impact on menu planning and preparation of meals for childcare. This also runs a risk whereby food varieties for the children may be restricted due to the worry of not being able to meet the HCS guidelines.
Is it a must to use sauces, spreads, condiments and salt endorsed with healthier choice symbol (HCS) in schools and preschools?
If the preschool serves biscuits, do they have to be HCS-endorsed?
Currently we are manufacturing Ready-to-Heat (RTH) proteins (chicken & fish) for our childcare clients. The variety of selections for PCF RTH proteins may also be affected due to the stringent selection of Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS) ingredients and worry of being unable to meet HCS guidelines (Under Protein category).
Need more help?
Get in touch