Ontario's Liberal government has issued new legislation this month imposing strict and tougher standards on food available in Ontario schools.

In making the announcement on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Education, MPP Pat Hoy (L - Chatham-Kent-Essex) said the ban addresses an increasing trend of overweight children making bad health choices, aiming to save the province money in future health costs.

"Studies show that 28 per cent of our students, between two and 17, are overweight or obese", said Hoy. "Naturally, that's not a good state to be in, leading to all sorts of health problems like diabetes and heart disease".

The Healthy Food for Healthy Schools Act is part of the government's ultimate focus is to introduce nutrition and physical activity among students as a part of the school environment.

Introduction of the new mandatory nutrition standards now has granted the schools a time period for its implementation by Sept. 1, 2011.

The Province revealed that, starting the very first day of school in 2011 students will witness a strict ban on the sale of candy, chocolate, pop, fries and energy drinks within the school premises.

Instead those unhealthy items will be replaced with more fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grain breads. Moreover, a mere 20 per cent of the menu can have products with slightly higher amounts of fat, sugar and sodium, such as bagels and cheese.