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Ban junk food in schools: FSSAI

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has come up with draft regulations proposing a ban on sale, advertisement and promotion of unhealthy food on school premises and within 50m of schools. P 11

Regulator proposes ban on sale of junk food in & near schools

FSSAI Also Mulls Barring Advertising & Promotion Of Unhealthy Food

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  |  New Delhi:

In a move to ensure healthy eating among children, the food regulator has come up with draft regulations proposing a ban on sale, advertisement and promotion of unhealthy food— high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS)— in school premises and within 50 metres of the school campus.

The draft regulation titled — ‘Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and healthy diets for School Children) Regulations, 2019’ — also listed measures for monitoring the quality of food supplied to schoolchildren. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has sought public comments on the draft by December, after which it will be finalised for implementation.

“Food business operators manufacturing HFSS food products shall not advertise or offer for free, sale of such foods to children in school premises or within 50 metres of the school campus,” the draft regulations said.

The proposal also contains guidelines for providing safe and wholesome food to schoolchildren. For instance, it suggests 75-80% of the foods should be cereals, pulses, milk products, eggs, fish, meat, fruits, vegetables, nuts etc. It also advises discouraging availability of HFSS foods such as deep fried foods like french fries, fried chips, samosa, chola bhatura, gulab jamun etc., sugar sweetened carbonated or non-carbonated beverages, ready to eat food, noodles, pizzas, burgers, confectionery items, sugar and sugar based products etc.

In June, FSSAI CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal had announced that the regulator has proposed banning advertisements of unhealthy food in and around schools. However, the notification of the draft norms were pending with the health ministry for approval.

The school authority or business contracted by it and FBOs contracted by department of school education for operation of the mid-day meal scheme will have to “obtain a registration or license”and comply with the hygiene requirements.

Source : https://epaper.timesgroup.com/