By: Nurul Ezzaty Mohd Azhari
SERDANG, July 20 – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) came up with an initiative to set the price of quality set meals as low as RM3.50 for its students starting July 8.
According to the Head of the Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UPM, Prof. Dr. Norhasmah Sulaiman, this initiative is seen as a good effort to ensure that UPM students always get healthy nutrients and calories.
"Based on my research, about 50 to 60 per cent of students have problems getting healthy food or food insecurity. So, this UPM initiative should be commended.
"In general, there is a standard for special nutritional requirements by the Malaysian Recommended Nutrient Intake according to age (Recommended Nutrient Intake Malaysia). The age group of our students is between 19 to 25 years old, and they usually need 2,240 calories for men and women in 1,840 a day," she said.
Prof. Dr. Norhasmah Sulaiman,
Fakulti Perubatan dan Sains Kesihatan UPM
She said based on several set meal options provided by UPM, and this provides enough calories and energy for female students if taken for lunch.
Prof. Dr. Norhasmah said basically if the student is not a sports athlete, the rice or carbohydrates served are very sufficient along with the protein offered in the meal set.
However, she suggested improving the need for protein and mineral sources for male students since the energy needs of this group are higher than that of females.
"For female students who need protein, for example, eggs, tempeh, meat cooked in soy sauce, and tofu are enough for lunch. But, for male students, the need is greater, so it needs to be thought about even though I understand the important thing here is that the price has been set at RM3.50.
"If you look at the diet of Quarter, Quarter, Half, the need for vegetables is greater because the source of vitamins and minerals comes from vegetables. Maybe traders can use inexpensive vegetables, such as kailan, mustard, lettuce and kale, because I know if choosing broccoli, the price is higher.
"If you have fish or chicken such as a thigh, the nutritional needs for men and women are sufficient. When I look at this picture, I am a little worried about the protein source for male students," she said.
Reportedly, all entrepreneurs and food service providers at UPM, together with the UPM Student Representative Council (MPP), had agreed to the price of RM3.50 at stalls in PFC 3 and 4, PFC 7, PFC 8, Serumpun A1 and A2, and Serumpun A5 and A6.
Meanwhile, the cafeterias at Kolej Canselor, Kolej 10 and Kolej Tan Sri Mustaffa Babjee also prepared the ‘Kasih Pelajar Keluarga Malaysia’ menu, effective on July 18.
Earlier, the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) urged the Institutions of Higher Education (HEIs) to sell food on campus with a ceiling price of RM3.50 through the Food Basket Siswa Keluarga Malaysia initiative. – UPM.
