Frame norms for junk food sale near schools in 10 days: HC

The Centre was on Wednesday given a 10-day deadline by the Delhi High Court to come out with detailed guidelines for regulating sale of junk food and aerated drinks on and around school premises in the country.

"No further extension will be given," a bench headed by Acting Chief Justice B D Ahmad firmly told the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Terming the non-filing of draft guidelines by the Centre as "unfortunate", the court asked the FSSAI to submit it within 10 days.

Earlier, Additional Solicitor General Rajeeve Mehra had assured the court that the draft guidelines would be filed by July this year.

"Earlier, this court had recorded that draft guidelines would be filed on July 24. Unfortunately, the draft guidelines are not ready. Now, the counsel for the Centre states that the draft guidelines would be ready within 10 days. Let it be filed within 10 days," the bench, also comprising Justice Vibhu Bakhru, said during the hearing and scheduled the next hearing for September 4.

"It is expected that parties shall adhere to this timeline and no extension would be given by this court," it said, adding that the Centre would share the report with other stakeholders who will also give their suggestions or comments on the issue.

Earlier, the Centre had said that private firm AC Nielsen QRG-MARG Pvt Ltd was in the process of framing norms to regulate availability of junk food and carbonated drinks within 500 metres of schools.

It had also said that after the draft guidelines were prepared, the food processing companies would be consulted for their opinions and then the final guidelines would be made.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by Rakesh Prabhakar, a lawyer for NGO 'Uday Foundation', seeking a direction banning sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around schools.