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Health Promotion Board

Healthy Meals in Schools Programme

The Healthy Meals in Schools Programme (HMSP) encourages healthier food and beverage choices in schools.

Last updated 31 July 2026
Young woman smiling while eating noodles with chopsticks in a dining setting.

About the programme

Healthy Meals in Schools Programme

The Healthy Meals in Schools Programme (HMSP) encourages healthier food and beverage choices in schools. We achieve this through an integrated programme involving teachers, canteen vendors and students. We also work together with the Ministry of Education to actively encourage participation. This programme aims to help students cultivate healthy eating habits right from their youth.

Food Service Guidelines

Under the Healthy Meals in Schools Programme (HMSP), canteen vendors need to follow food service guidelines.

These include:

Icon showing burger, sugar cubes and salt shaker representing less healthy foods.

Cutting down fat, sugar and sodium

Icon of crate filled with fresh vegetables and produce.

Serving wholegrain, fruit and vegetables

Icon showing balanced food groups including grains, protein, vegetables and fruit.

Serving healthy set meals

The guidelines aim to ensure that preschoolers receive the appropriate nutrients necessary for their growing needs and it takes into consideration the following areas:

Plate with broccoli, brown rice and stir-fried chicken with chilli on a wooden table.

Food from essential food groups must be served in appropriate serving sizes for the age groups in every main meal

  • Wholegrains

  • Fruit to be served daily (at any time of the day)

  • Vegetables

  • Protein

Bottle of sauce with Healthier Choice symbol surrounded by tomatoes, garlic and herbs.

Products used should carry the Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS) or meet the HCS guidelines

  • Fats and Oils (e.g. but not limited to cooking oil, cheese, etc)

  • Sauces, Spreads, Condiments and Salt (e.g. but not limited to soya sauce, jam, etc)

Hand holding a bottle of plain drinking water against a blurred outdoor background.

Plain water is the preferred choice of beverage

  • Plain water must be available at all times to encourage it as the preferred choice of beverage

  • Sugar sweetened beverages are not encouraged to be served. If served, it should follow the requirements stated in the HMSP Guidelines (opens in new tab) (e.g. HCS certified, No intense sweeteners, etc)


Assorted processed meats including ham, salami and sausages on a wooden board.

Processed food is discouraged

  • Processed food is not recommended as they are often high in sodium and an increase in sodium intake, increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases

Our assigned nutritionists and dietitians will also assess participating schools and provide a report to guide canteen vendors in order to meet the programme’s guidelines.

Find out more on the detailed information on these guidelines here (opens in new tab).

Suppliers with healthier ingredients

Assortment of wholegrain foods including bread, pasta, oats and wheat grains.

We have compiled a list of suppliers that provide healthier food and ingredients.

View the Supplier Listing Directory.

Support for schools

We support participating schools through the following ways:

  • Guiding the School Canteen Committee in monitoring the food and beverages sold.

  • Providing educational resources (opens in new tab) to encourage healthier eating among students.

  • Providing canteen vendors with suitable advice for the provision of healthier meals using healthier ingredients.

Beverages allowed for sale

Close-up of multiple plastic bottles filled with drinking water and condensation.

Wondering what drinks you can sell in schools?

View the beverage list (opens in new tab).

Healthier recipe ideas

Together with a nutritionist and a chef, HPB has developed these healthy recipes for canteen vendors as a guide to prepare healthier, tastier and appealing meals for students:

Tasty bites
Main dish/meal

Other useful resources

Find out how canteen vendors have developed new and creative healthier cooking practices.

Related Programmes

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information on the Healthy Meals in Schools Programme, visit our FAQ directory (opens in new tab).

Application and further enquiries

For more information or to register for this programme, you can email HPB_Mailbox@hpb.gov.sg (opens in new tab).