Sale of junk food in school canteens across the country is likely to be banned soon. In its draft guidelines submitted to the Delhi high court to regulate the sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around schools, the Centre has said that to begin with, the schools in Delhi could “regulate or phase out” the sale of unhealthy food and the same model would then be extended to the rest of the country.
In its 35-page document submitted before the court, the Centre, through the health ministry, has said that to rein in obesity and hypertension among children, schools must regulate the sale of junk food items such as burgers, pizzas, chips, samosas and colas. Schools have also been asked to discourage binging among students.
School canteens must make available fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, and whole grain and pulse based food items, the guidelines state. It also stresses on making healthy food easily available in schools and pricing the same moderately to make them accessible to children.
“The problem of obesity among children is on the rise mainly due to reckless dietary habits. Based on a study conducted by the health ministry and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, we can say that junk food items such as burgers, pizzas, chips, fries, samosas, biscuits etc. sold rampantly in school and college canteens contain no vitamins or proteins and are instead high on salt, sugar and saturated fat.
The food available in and around schools thus, must be nutritionally balanced,” the draft document reads.
“Leafy vegetables and fruits enhance the immunity of children and provides minerals and vitamins. Authorities must encourage consumption of locally available and seasonal vegetables and fruits in schools. School canteens must come up with diversified diets with a judicious mix of a variety of food groups. Cereals, millets and pulses must also included in food items available in canteens,” read the guidelines.
Besides regulating the quality of food, the Centre’s draft guidelines also stresses on regulating the quantity of food items available in canteen keeping in mind the calorie count and nutritional needs of children of different age groups.
“Economics can play a crucial role in encouraging the consumption of healthy foods, Studies indicate that reduction in the prices of healthy foods leads to the rise in their consumption. School managements, canteen committees etc should work effectively towards subsidising the price of healthy food items and selling them in and around schools,” the Centre has said.
The government has also suggested advertising the benefits of consuming healthy food through television and social media.
The high court is likely to take cognisance of the report in the coming week.
In its 35-page document submitted before the court, the Centre, through the health ministry, has said that to rein in obesity and hypertension among children, schools must regulate the sale of junk food items such as burgers, pizzas, chips, samosas and colas. Schools have also been asked to discourage binging among students.
School canteens must make available fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, and whole grain and pulse based food items, the guidelines state. It also stresses on making healthy food easily available in schools and pricing the same moderately to make them accessible to children.
“The problem of obesity among children is on the rise mainly due to reckless dietary habits. Based on a study conducted by the health ministry and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, we can say that junk food items such as burgers, pizzas, chips, fries, samosas, biscuits etc. sold rampantly in school and college canteens contain no vitamins or proteins and are instead high on salt, sugar and saturated fat.
The food available in and around schools thus, must be nutritionally balanced,” the draft document reads.
“Leafy vegetables and fruits enhance the immunity of children and provides minerals and vitamins. Authorities must encourage consumption of locally available and seasonal vegetables and fruits in schools. School canteens must come up with diversified diets with a judicious mix of a variety of food groups. Cereals, millets and pulses must also included in food items available in canteens,” read the guidelines.
Besides regulating the quality of food, the Centre’s draft guidelines also stresses on regulating the quantity of food items available in canteen keeping in mind the calorie count and nutritional needs of children of different age groups.
“Economics can play a crucial role in encouraging the consumption of healthy foods, Studies indicate that reduction in the prices of healthy foods leads to the rise in their consumption. School managements, canteen committees etc should work effectively towards subsidising the price of healthy food items and selling them in and around schools,” the Centre has said.
The government has also suggested advertising the benefits of consuming healthy food through television and social media.
The high court is likely to take cognisance of the report in the coming week.
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