Teens blame Mrs Obama for US school food

VIRGINIA, USA - Mrs Obama is getting the blame because she has been an active advocate of healthier options in public lunch programmes, reported USA Today on Saturday.

Her "Let's Move" campaign aims to lower America's obesity and diabetes rate by introducing more whole grains, fruits and vegetables - and healthier lunches in school are part of the move.

Disgruntled with their suspicious-looking cafeteria lunches, students have since started the #ThanksMichelleObama hashtag, which has gone viral in a matter of days.

Hunter Whitney tweeted on Nov 14: "Had a very #healthylunch today. The apple definitely made up for the 'mystery mush' #ThanksMichelleObama."

But some politicians have come out in the First Lady's defence, saying she is not to blame for these lunches.

Political strategist Christine Pelosi, who is also the daughter of California congressman Nancy Pelosi, said that district officials should be held responsible for deciding what food is prepared.

Other schools have also tweeted photos of their more appetising healthy lunches to counter the criticism.

The head chef of Metro Nashville Public Schools, who calls herself Chef Rebecca, tweeted on Saturday: "Hey @FLOTUS how about you come to Nashville for #schoollunch! We'd love to have you! #ThanksMichelleObama."

Yet others criticised the teenagers themselves. Said Bassey Etim: "Let me tell you something, kids, school lunches have ALWAYS been bad. We just didn't have decent camera phones. #ThanksMichelleObama."

This article by The New Paper was published in MyPaper, a free, bilingual newspaper published by Singapore Press Holdings.