IBChangemakers: Halo food project uncovers the truth about ‘healthy’ products

Health is one of the most vital aspects of our daily lives, yet many people unknowingly consume foods and drinks high in sugar and additives. The Health: Halo Foods, undertaken by MYP-5 students as part of their Service as Action (SAA) initiative at Apeejay’s IB School, Apeejay School International, Panchsheel Park, aimed to raise awareness about these hidden health risks. Through research, analysis, and community engagement, the students not only explored the nutritional realities behind popular products but also developed critical thinking, teamwork, and social responsibility, making learning both practical and impactful.     

In essence, the project transformed abstract concepts about nutrition into practical, actionable learning. Read to know more.. 

Arjun Sharma

“One of our early project ideas was to create a specialised medical kit for schools and communities. We thought about including essential items like penicillin, adrenaline, and inhalers; medications that aren’t always easily available but can be life-saving in emergencies. The plan was to sell these kits and donate the profits to an NGO. However, due to high costs and licensing requirements, we couldn’t execute it,” he shared.

We then shifted focus to raising awareness about food industry issues, he added. “I was shocked to learn how some so-called healthy drinks and supplements, like Bournvita, contain up to 50% sugar. Our school provided a vital network that helped us explore these topics further. For example, a friend’s parent works in the food industry, which gave us firsthand insights. This project helped me develop not just knowledge, but also important personal attributes,” he said.

Rivan Berlia

“Before designing the Halo project, my team and I focused on analysing the food and beverage products consumed by people around us. We also looked at popular advertisements and researched the ingredients and nutritional details of these products. Then we compared them with alternatives that claimed to be healthier. When showcasing Halo at the Services as Action exhibition, many in our school community were surprised by what they learnt. Some parents were shocked to discover that Bournvita contained 50% sugar. While it made some rethink their choices, others continued consuming these products despite knowing the risks,” he said.

The key impact of the project was to teach everyone to be more sceptical and thoughtful. “For years, we assumed products like Real Juice and Bournvita were healthy, but we learnt the importance of verifying claims rather than accepting them blindly,” he shared.

Ariham Jain

“Secondary resources were a big help in our research since I didn’t directly connect with professionals. I looked up information online and collaborated with my PYP group for the presentation. We even bought some products, like Bournvita, to check the ingredients ourselves and show the findings in our presentation. We also set up a QR code for feedback, which was exciting. Through this project, I gained research skills I hadn’t had before like finding reliable websites and information. Collaborating with the team allowed us to strategise together while focusing on different segments individually, which made the process more effective,” he said.

Vivaan Khanna

“One of the main challenges was raising funds at the start. School teachers guided us by dividing tasks among the team, setting short deadlines, and ensuring regular checks. We cross-checked information through multiple secondary sources online and analysed different health food examples and advertising strategies. We noticed that while companies highlight positive aspects of their products, they often hide the negatives like the high sugar content in Bournvita or unsupported claims about height increase,” he said and added that he shared the findings and presentation with family and friends.

I also started advising my mom about healthier brands and spreading awareness about ingredients rather than just trusting marketing. This project not only strengthened our research skills but also boosted our social skills, as we presented our work to peers, teachers, and parents at the exhibition,” he said in conclusion.