No sale or ads of junk food within 50m of schools: FSSAI proposal

Food regulator FSSAI on Tuesday issued draft regulations proposing a ban on sale as well as advertisements of junk foods in school canteens and within 50 meters around school campuses as part of its objective to ensure safe and wholesome food for children. The Food and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has sought comments from stakeholders within 30 days on its draft regulations titled ''Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and healthy diets for School Children) Regulations, 2019''.

Advertisements for Junk Food banned in school premises and within 50 meters of the campus

"Foods which are referred to as foods high in fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) cannot be sold to school children in school canteens or mess premises or hostel kitchens or within 50 meters of the school campus," FSSAI said. The food business operators (FBOs) manufacturing HFSS food products would be barred from advertising such foods in school premises or within 50 meters of the school campus, it added.

In June this year, FSSAI CEO Pawan Kumar Agarwal had announced that the regulator has proposed banning advertisements of unhealthy food in and around the school. The school authority itself or food business operators (FBOs) contracted by it and FBOs contracted by Department of School Education for the operation of the mid-day meal scheme will have to "obtain a registration or license" as applicable and comply with the requirements of sanitary and hygienic practices specified under the food safety law.

READ | Days after Diwali, heavy smog engulfs New Delhi

READ | FSSAI Survey: 41% milk samples of poor quality, 7% unfit to consume

FSSAI proposes school authorities to encourage consumption of balanced diet

The FSSAI has proposed that school authorities will have to adopt a comprehensive program for promoting safe food and healthy diets among school children. The school campus should be converted into ''Eat Right School'' focusing safe and healthy food, local and seasonal food and no food waste as per the specified benchmarks. "Encourage school authorities to promote the consumption of a safe and balanced diet in the school as per the guidelines issued by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN)," the draft regulation said.

The school authorities would have to ensure that FBOs supplying prepared meals on the premises are on the basis of general guidance provided in the regulation and as per the direction issued by the Food Authority or the Commissioners of Food safety. Nutritionists, dietitians must be engaged by the school administration to assist in the preparation of the menu for the children, periodically.

"FBOs to support healthy eating in schools and not market, sell, or give away low- nutrition foods anywhere on the school campus, including through logos, brand names, posters, textbook covers, etc," the draft said. It also prescribes regular inspection of premises to ensure that safe, healthy and hygienic food is served to students. The FSSAI proposes the creation of a sub-committee by the State Level Advisory Committee to monitor the implementation of these regulations and to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food to school children.

"A healthy food makes our kids feel better, grow better and learn better and right eating habits can be engrained in the children from a young age. At the heart of these regulations is a fundamental idea to make it clear what is healthy for children and what is not," the regulator said. These regulations, after consideration of stakeholder comments and finalization, will be finalized for implementation. Meanwhile, the FSSAI said it will direct State Food Authorities or Department of School Education to frame healthy diets for school children in accordance with the general guidance given in this regulation. 

READ | Dia Mirza 'baffled' at BCCI for hosting Bangladesh T20I in New Delhi

FSSAI proposes ban on sale, ads of junk foods in school canteens, within 50m of campus