Sugary snacks pose serious health risks to kids - Expert

SHAH ALAM – Consuming snacks, particularly sweets, offers no nutritional benefits to children and can even be harmful due to their ingredients, shape and packaging.

Professor of Nutrition at the School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Prof Dr Hamid Jan Jan Mohamed said most candies available in the market consist solely of sugar, colouring and preservatives.

He stressed the importance of stricter enforcement to ban the sale of such snacks in schools to prevent both immediate and long-term health risks.

“These snacks come in various forms, including gummy candies, which are primarily made of sugar. Excessive sugar intake can lead to high calorie consumption, increasing the risk of childhood obesity.

“As these children grow into teenagers and adults, their chances of developing chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes also rise,” he told Sinar.

Hamid Jan pointed out that the negative effects of unhealthy snacks can occur at any time, especially if consumed in excess and without proper supervision.

The risks go beyond the ingredients, as the physical design of these sweets also plays a role.

“Many of these sweets are designed in eye-catching shapes to attract children. In the recent Penang case, the candy may have been too large, and a child unfamiliar with it could have accidentally swallowed it, leading to choking.

"A similar situation could happen if a child swallows a rambutan without knowing how to eat it properly.

“There have also been cases involving sumi jelly, where children sucked the jelly from a cone-shaped packaging and ended up swallowing the plastic cone along with it.

"This shows that the danger is not just in the ingredients but also in the packaging. Parents must be extra cautious when giving these snacks to their children,” he said.

Parents and teachers play a crucial role in educating children about the dangers of unhealthy snacks.

“This issue is not limited to schools—it happens everywhere, including at home and in supermarkets. However, there are no legal restrictions on selling these snacks in supermarkets or convenience stores,” he said.