Keralam seeks FSSAI clarity on foods high in fat, sugar and salt

Because junk food does not have a precise scientific definition, it is not clear which foods should be included in this category or how their sale should be regulated. Image for illustration only | Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

The Kerala government will strengthen all legal measures to curb unhealthy eating habits among children and prevent excessive consumption of junk food, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said.

Keralam will approach the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to clarify the definition of foods high in fat, sugar and salt and the criteria for regulating their sale, it said in a statement in Thiruvananthapuram.

Because junk food does not have a precise scientific definition, it is not clear which foods should be included in this category or how their sale should be regulated. Foods high in fat, sugar and salt can be classified as HFSS, but clear criteria and guidelines are needed to set upper limits. Currently, it is precisely the absence of such criteria that is holding back efforts to compile a list of foods with HFSS content and to regulate their sale near schools.

On August 7, 2026, FSSAI published a draft regulation on this. The proposal suggests that if solid foods contain more than 4.2g of fat, 3g of sugar or 0.625g of salt per 100g, this should be considered a high amount. For liquid foods, the ‘high’ thresholds are fixed at 1.5g fat, 2g sugar and 0.175g salt per 100ml.

Mr. Muraleedharan said that only when the draft regulation is finalized and incorporated into statutory rules will states have a clear legal position to prepare a list of HFSS foods and to ban or restrict their sale near schools. He added that the state would write to FSSAI to finalize the criteria without delay.

The Eat Right Program

The Government has introduced the School Eat Right program to ensure safe, balanced and nutritious meals in schools and to promote healthy eating habits among children. The program was also implemented in model residential schools. Work is also underway to ensure hygiene, food safety standards and the availability of nutritious food in canteens in schools and hostels, the minister said.

The School correctly program has so far been implemented in 169 schools. SNF@School (Safe and Nutritious School Food), a nationwide initiative launched by FSSAI to build a culture of safe, healthy and wholesome food among school children, has been implemented in 2,500 schools.

The Eat Right Campus program would ensure safe and nutritious food in cafeterias at colleges, universities, hospitals and government institutions, and 456 institutions have been certified under the initiative.

Mr. Muraleedharan also said that inspections are being done regularly and legal action is being taken against those violating food safety norms.

Published – 20 October 2026 22:49 IST