Reportedly union government has planned to ban junk foods in and around school campus and it includes sugary treats and salt laden snacks, according to a draft gazette notification by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of india (FSSAI) on Monday. Meanwhile the authority released a ten-point charter for food sold in and around schools, including suppliers, advertisements and distribution.
Furthermore the sale of pre-packaged and unhealthy foods referred to as “foods high in fat, salt and sugar as per the Food Safety and Standards (Labeling and display) Regulations, 2019” will be banned across all schools, including canteens, mess premises, hostel kitchens and 50 metres around the campus, according to the new regulations and perhaps the notification said that the school authorities who sell meals on campus will have to register as a Food business Operator and ensure that the food is safe and meet nutritional requirements.
Apparently the taboo foods could include deep-fried snacks such as french fries, chips, samosas, chola bhatura, gulab jamun, to name a few. It also includes sweetened carbonated or noncarbonated beverages, ready-to-eat food, noodles, pizzas, burgers, confectionery items, sugar and sugar-based products, among others. Perhaps the notification went on to say that Food business Operators will have to serve reasonable portion sizes to not encourage overeating. They will also have to reformulate products to improve their nutritional quality by adding more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and reducing portion sizes, calories, sodium, refined sugars, and saturated and trans fats.
