Maharashtra bans sale and distribution of junk food in and around schools across the state; warns of strict measures: Details | Today’s news
In a bid to promote healthier eating habits among students, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the sale, free distribution and promotion of junk food in and around schools.
According to the new directive, foods high in fat, trans-fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) cannot be sold, given away for free or promoted in or within 50 meters of school premises, ANI reported.
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Here’s what we know about the ban
The directive was announced on Wednesday by Maharashtra FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, who stressed that schools will be responsible for enforcing the ban and specified the junk foods covered, including vada pav, samosas, fried snacks, chips, cold drinks, sugary drinks, chocolates and ice cream. Further, the ordinance applies to all schools across the state and is expected to impact more than two million students.
The commissioner said, “I want to make it clear that excess fat, excess trans fat and products with excess sugar including fried food, drinks with excessive sugar, vada pav, samosa, cold drinks, chocolate and ice cream, such unhealthy foods are strictly not to be sold, distributed, promoted in schools and also not within 50 meters radius and parents should be strictly informed and parents should be informed of this as well.”
The official warned that strict action will be taken against school principals and managements who do not follow the latest directive, adding that FDA inspectors will visit each school at least twice a year to ensure compliance.
Mundhe said, “We will soon start inspections across the state. The FDA along with school managements will be happy to attend workshops at the district level and taluk level to roll it out smoothly.”
According to a report in India Today, the latest FDA guidelines aim to cover children between the ages of 22 months and 17 years. It will apply to all schools in the state, irrespective of the board of education, including both government and private institutions. He said: “Children need a healthy and balanced diet during their growing years. Proper nutrition, vitamins and essential nutrients are critical to their overall development.”
In addition, the agency has also mandated food safety licenses for school cafeterias across the state, Mundhe announced, adding, “The Food Safety and Standards Regulations are effective from 2021 and we issued the compliance order on July 28. In the future, only licensed vendors will be able to operate school cafeterias. Schools that want to operate cafeterias themselves will have to obtain a license from the FDA.”
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FDA suspends licenses of three restaurants in Mumbai
In a separate incident earlier this month, the Maharashtra FDA suspended the licenses of three restaurants in Mumbai for serious violations of food safety and hygiene norms, news agency ANI reported. According to the agency, at least six inspections were conducted after which the licenses of three restaurants in Bhendi Bazaar and Umarkhadi were suspended for non-compliance.
The FDA said it suspended the food license of one establishment on July 14 after a follow-up inspection conducted the day before found that 25 major deficiencies identified during the initial inspection had not been addressed. The issue was first reviewed on April 16 and an improvement notice was issued on April 28.
During the follow-up inspection, officials noted several deficiencies, including wet and slippery floors in the kitchen, missing raw material purchase records, absence of drinking water quality test protocols, insufficient documentation on cooking oil quality, improper segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food and open windows without insect screens that could allow pests to enter.
