New
Delhi: Schools and colleges across the country may have to withdraw
junk food and carbonated drinks from canteens. A suggestion to this
effect has been made by the Union health ministry to all states.
“The ministry has requested the chief ministers and health ministers of all states/ union territories and the minister of human resources development to consider issuing appropriate directions to the schools and colleges for withdrawing food high in saturated fat and carbonated drinks from their canteens and promoting healthy habits, and that children must be made aware of the benefits of consumptions of fruits, vegetables and whole grains,” Ghulam Nabi Azad said this on Friday in a written reply in Lok Sabha on the steps being taken by the government to address the issue.
Azad said that although the term ‘junk food’ has not been defined under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and regulations made therein, foods which have high fat, salt and sugar, with little or no protein, minerals and vitamins are considered as ‘unhealthy foods’ and belong to the category of fast foods.
Dr Anopp Misra, chairman of Fortis-C-DOC Centre of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology welcomed the move. “Tendency to eat out and consume junk food like burgers, french fries, pizza and the colas is a major reason behind alarming increase in obesity among children. Many of them grow up as diabetics. If the government brings in stringent measures to check the sale of such products in schools, it will certainly have a positive impact in reducing the disease burden,” he said.
According to Dr K Srinath Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation of India, said ban on junk foods and proper labeling of packaged food items is stringently followed in many nations. “If India wants to control the epidemic of non-communicable diseases it will have to take such steps,” said Reddy.
He added that controlling childhood obesity can cut down half of all non-communicable diseases — diabetes, heart disease, kidney dysfunction and hypertension.
EAT HEALTHY, STAY HEALTHY
Colas/fruit juices/ canned juices Pizza/Burger/white bread/noodles Ice creams/ice-cream shakes Whole fruits/lassi/ coconut water
Brown bread/wheat porridge/green sprouts
Fruit salads/fruit puddings/skimmed milk shakes
“The ministry has requested the chief ministers and health ministers of all states/ union territories and the minister of human resources development to consider issuing appropriate directions to the schools and colleges for withdrawing food high in saturated fat and carbonated drinks from their canteens and promoting healthy habits, and that children must be made aware of the benefits of consumptions of fruits, vegetables and whole grains,” Ghulam Nabi Azad said this on Friday in a written reply in Lok Sabha on the steps being taken by the government to address the issue.
Azad said that although the term ‘junk food’ has not been defined under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and regulations made therein, foods which have high fat, salt and sugar, with little or no protein, minerals and vitamins are considered as ‘unhealthy foods’ and belong to the category of fast foods.
Dr Anopp Misra, chairman of Fortis-C-DOC Centre of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology welcomed the move. “Tendency to eat out and consume junk food like burgers, french fries, pizza and the colas is a major reason behind alarming increase in obesity among children. Many of them grow up as diabetics. If the government brings in stringent measures to check the sale of such products in schools, it will certainly have a positive impact in reducing the disease burden,” he said.
According to Dr K Srinath Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation of India, said ban on junk foods and proper labeling of packaged food items is stringently followed in many nations. “If India wants to control the epidemic of non-communicable diseases it will have to take such steps,” said Reddy.
He added that controlling childhood obesity can cut down half of all non-communicable diseases — diabetes, heart disease, kidney dysfunction and hypertension.
EAT HEALTHY, STAY HEALTHY
Colas/fruit juices/ canned juices Pizza/Burger/white bread/noodles Ice creams/ice-cream shakes Whole fruits/lassi/ coconut water
Brown bread/wheat porridge/green sprouts
Fruit salads/fruit puddings/skimmed milk shakes
Tasty to eat, tough to burn
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