FSSAI to prohibit sale of junk food near schools

A government survey has found that 88.2% of youngsters (who attended school or college during 2017-18) reported availability of foods high in sugar, fat and salt in their school and college canteens

FSSAI is in the process of issuing regulations to stop the sale of junk food in and around schools. Even so, a government survey has found that 88.2 per cent of youngsters (who attended school or college during 2017-18) reported availability of foods high in sugar, fat and salt in their school and college canteens.

In 2019, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) had issued a draft regulation that proposed prohibiting ready-to-eat packaged food that’s high in salt, sugar and fat, in and around schools, especially in hostel kitchens and canteens.

Aside from distribution and sale within 50 metres of the campus, it also forbids sponsorship from brands selling food and beverages with low nutritional value such as chips, carbonated drinks, fries, pre-cooked packaged noodles, etc; at sporting and other events for children.

In the survey, 74.5 per cent reported availability of namkeen or chips in their school and college canteens, followed by kachori or samosa (59.6%), bakery items such as cakes and pastries (46.3%), and aerated drinks (41.3%). As low as 15.5% of the youngsters reported the availability of fruits, fruit salad or chaat in there.

The report showed that the availability of instant noodles (29.3%) and aerated drinks (43.9%) was at a higher percentage in rural school and college canteens, while the availability of the remaining food items was more in the urban areas.

Ashwin Bhadri, CEO, Equinox Labs, said, “The contrast between the availability of junk food and healthy food in school/college canteens is just not acceptable and must be fixed soon. This difference will make children more susceptible to developing lifestyle-related disorders and diseases such as cardiovascular diseases.”