Maharashtra FDA bans soft drinks, junk food around 50-m radius of schools, ETHealthworld
Mumbai: On Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statewide order prohibiting the sale, advertisement, marketing and free distribution of HFSS (high in fat, salt, and sugar) food products within not only school premises but also a 50-metre radius around the educational establishment.
The prohibited items include ultra-processed foods, soft drinks, chips, fried snacks, and other junk food that are easily available in school surroundings. If violations are found within a school, the principal, school management, and the committee will be held responsible.
Canteens, mid-day meal centres, hostel kitchens, and any food suppliers within schools cannot operate without a valid FSSAI licence or registration.
This is applicable to all government, aided, private, and residential schools, as well as schools affiliated with the state board, CBSE, ICSE, and other boards across Maharashtra.
Speaking to the press, FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said over 1.8 lakh schools with an enrolment of more than two crore students in the state are set to witness a shift in how children consume food products during school hours.
He said schools are responsible for putting up a food safety display board displaying details about the vendor, the type of food served, and its nutritional value. The schools are also asked to appoint a food safety supervisor and designate a ‘health and wellness ambassador’ to act as a nodal officer in every school.
“If the schools, canteens, suppliers, or vendors are found violating the rules, actions will include improvement notices, licensing actions, seizure, prosecution, and stringent action as required,” he said.
Mundhe added that as an advisory the FDA is requesting the schools to provide “wholesome food” to the students. “Fruits, vegetables, pulses, whole grains, milk, and local nutritious foods. Furthermore, there needs to be clean drinking water and places where food is served or prepared need to have sanitation, pest control, temprature control and waste management.”
The measures are in accordance with the Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School Regulations, 2020.
