Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has welcomed the move by an expert committee set up by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) which has recommended ban on sale of junk foods in school canteens and within 200 meters of school in its report submitted to the ministry this week.
CSE, in a release issued on Saturday noted that they have been stridently calling for such an action for some time now, under its food safety campaign.
“Junk food consumption among school children is a big problem and the recommendations of the committee are in the right direction. Several countries have taken similar measures. The ministry needs to take this forward now,” said Sunita Narain, director general, CSE, responding to the development.
The committee, chaired by T. Longvah, director-in-charge, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, was asked to look into the issues related to growing problems of obesity in children and its relationship with consumption of junk food.
In its report, the committee expressed its concern on rising childhood obesity, diabetes and hypertension and reviewed how junk food is regulated across several countries and the available legislative and institutional frameworks in India.
The committee suggested banning sale of junk foods within 200 meters of the school during school hours by vendors, and by shops and at restaurants to children in school uniform. It further suggested a list of desirable food items to be offered in school canteens.
The report recommends modifications required in the labelling of pre-packaged foods and the need for promotion campaigns to be undertaken by several stakeholder ministries.
It also suggests inclusion of nutrition related aspects in the school health card, and renaming the School Health Programme to School Health and Nutrition Programme.
A committee set up by the Ministry of Women and Child Development was asked to look into the issues related to obesity in children and its relationship with consumption of junk food
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