Sales and advertisements of junk foods in school canteens and within 50 metres around school campuses has been banned in order to promote safe and wholesome food for children, regulator FSSAI said on Tuesday.
The Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2020 in this regard has been notified now after consideration of stakeholders’ comments, FSSAI said in a statement.
FSSAI would direct State Food Authorities/Department of School Education to frame safe and balanced diets for children in school in accordance with the general guidance given in these regulations, it added.
As per the regulations, “Foods which are referred to as food products high in saturated fat or trans-fat or added sugar or sodium cannot be sold to school children in school canteens/mess premises/hostel kitchens or in an area within fifty meters from the school gate in any direction.”
Food business operators manufacturing HFSS foods are “Barred from advertising and marketing of such foods to children in school premises including through logos, brand names, posters, textbook covers etc. or in an area within fifty meters from the school gate in any direction.”
The school authority should ensure that a board containing warning “Do not sell the food products high in saturated fat or trans-fat or added sugar or sodium within school premises or campus” in English or one Indian language, as applicable, is displayed prominently at the entrance gate or gates of the school.
A license will have to be obtained for selling or catering school meals by the school authority itself or FBOs contracted by the school authority.
FSSAI said schools should adopt a comprehensive program for promoting ‘safe food and balanced diets’ amongst school children, and to convert school campuses into ‘Eat Right Campus’ focusing on provision of safe and healthy food, local and seasonal food and developing practices amongst kids on food waste as per the specified benchmarks.
To promote consumption of a safe and balanced diet in the school as per the guidelines issued by the National Institute of Nutrition, the school authority should engage nutritionists, dietitians to assist in the preparation of menu for the children, periodically.
The regulation also provides for creation of a sub-committee by the State Level Advisory Committee for monitoring implementation of these regulations and to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food to school children.