Last year, the federal government introduced new guidelines in which the Rockwood school district adopted that included eliminating the sale of any foods with no nutritional value.

“The sugar just sits on your teeth,” Karen Smith, school store worker, said. “Chocolates are still okay, though, because of the calcium in them.”

These rules meant at the start of this school year, the MHS school store would no longer be selling candy such as Sour Punch Straws, Laffy Taffy and Nerd Ropes.

However, to students’ satisfaction, a new tradition was introduced to contradict the guidelines once a week. Forbidden Foods Friday brings back the banned candies at a price of $1 each – 25 cents more than the regular candy price.

“The student response has been really good,” Smith said. “The kids are really loving it and don’t seem to mind that the price is a little higher.”

Smith said Forbidden Foods Friday re-introduced the candies for fun, to boost school spirit and simply to “change it up a bit.”

A secret forbidden food will be revealed next week as “Forbidden Foods Finals” and will be available Monday, Dec. 20; Tuesday, Dec. 21 and Wednesday, Dec. 22.