The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has directed schools across the state to prohibit the sale, advertising and promotion of food products high in fat, trans fat and sugar within school premises and in surrounding areas, as part of a broader push to promote healthy eating habits among children.
Speaking at a press briefing in Mumbai, Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the directive is aimed at fostering a healthier food culture among students.
“Safe food for every child in Maharashtra is the objective of the orders we issued yesterday. This will help us build a healthy food culture and create healthier human beings,” Mundhe said.
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The order mandates that products containing excessive fat, trans fat and sugar will not be permitted to be sold or advertised in schools or their vicinity. Mundhe said school principals have been entrusted with implementing the directive.
“The orders say that products with excess fat, trans fat and excess sugar will not be allowed to be sold or advertised in schools and the surrounding areas. Principals should implement it,” he said.
He said the state government had issued a compliance order on July 27 to enforce food safety and nutritional standards across educational institutions, adding that the move would affect nearly two crore students studying in around 1.08 lakh schools in Maharashtra. Mundhe said the guidelines would apply to all government, government-aided and private schools affiliated to any education board, and no institution would be exempt from the provisions.
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He said canteens, midday meal kitchens, food suppliers and hostel kitchens catering to schools must obtain mandatory registration and licences under food safety regulations.
“No organisation or institution can prepare or supply food to schools, hostels or under the midday meal scheme without registration and a valid licence to operate,” Mundhe added.
He said school principals, headmasters and local authorities would play a key role in implementing the restrictions. According to Mundhe, the norms will cover children from 22 months of age up to students studying in Class 12, and HFSS food items could neither be sold, advertised nor distributed free of cost within the prescribed limits around schools.
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