FDA tightens junk food curbs around schools

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Aug 27: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), J&K today directed all Government and private schools across the Union Territory to strictly enforce food safety regulations, including a ban on the sale and promotion of junk food within school premises and within 50 metres of school gates.

In a communication to the Directors of School Education, Jammu and Kashmir, the FDA called for effective implementation of the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020, aimed at ensuring that children have access to safe, hygienic and nutritionally balanced food.

Under the regulations, schools cannot allow the sale or free distribution of food products high in saturated fat, trans-fat, added sugar or sodium within their premises.

The restriction also extends beyond school campuses.

The regulations prohibit the advertising, marketing, sale or free distribution of such food products to schoolchildren within 50 metres of the school gate in any direction.

The FDA has also stressed that food served or sold on school campuses must meet prescribed food safety standards.

School authorities or food business operators (FBOs) providing meals or other food on campus must be registered or licensed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

Such operators are required to follow prescribed sanitary and hygienic practices and comply with requirements relating to Food Safety Display Boards and Food Safety Supervisors.

The regulations further require schools to designate meal times to promote healthy eating habits among children and ensure that safe drinking water is provided free of cost to all students.

Responsibility for implementation rests with the School Authority, defined under the regulations as the head of the institution, including the Principal or Headmaster, along with the governing body, trust or other entity responsible for managing the school.

School authorities are also required to have a system for regular inspection of food premises to ensure that students are served safe, balanced and hygienic food.

The regulations allow schools to appoint a Health and Wellness Ambassador or constitute a Health and Wellness Team to monitor the availability of safe, balanced and hygienic food on campus.