Dear Editor,

“Sell me a bulla and a milk miss” is what most children of low to no income families grew up on for almost half-a-century, but the nutri-bulla is under a sweet threat from sugar.

Recently, Minister of Education Senator Ruel Reid and Minister of Health Dr Christopher Tufton teamed up and made the announcement that nutri-bulla will no longer be supplied to public schools because of its high sugar content. This comes as Dr Tufton appeals for a reduction of sugar intake while promoting a culture of health, wellness and fitness for all Jamaicans. This initiative has also affected manufacturers of sweet beverages, primarily soda and bag juice who contend that this will result in a loss in revenue. The nutri-bullas could be added for just a contribution of a few cents back then to between $1 to $3 when it was called up for scrutiny recently.

The nutri-bulla saved many lives, stopped gaps, and will be sadly missed by children and adults alike. Could the option of lowering the sugar content in the product save it from its intended fate? How about making it available outside of school for people who have fallen in love with the product?

While there is the understanding that healthy eating goes a far way in staving off many illnesses and diseases, and the public lauds the efforts of the ministers in creating a culture towards a healthier Jamaica, there is still an appeal for the salvation of the nutri-bulla.

Despite the attack on the nutri-bulla, commendations should be given to the ministers for wanting good for especially the nation’s children, and by extension Jamaicans on a whole.

So, Minister, see what you can do for the nutri-bulla, please, #savethenutribulla

Hezekan Bolton

h_e_z_e@hotmail.com