HC asks FSSAI to file guidelines on junk food in schools

The Delhi High Court today asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to file the draft guidelines on regulation of sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around school premises in the country. 

The expert group, formed by FSSAI, has come out with a slew of guidelines on the subject of "making available quality and safe food in schools" and suggested the availability of food high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) be restricted in schools and area "within 50 meters". 

The report said the kids are not "the best judge of their food choice" and moreover, the schools are not the right place for promoting HFSS foods. 

It termed "chips, fried foods, sugar sweetened carbonated beverageas" etc as HFSS foods and suggested "the school management must ensure regulation of such foods through canteen policies that promote healthy, wholesome and nutritious foods...". 

It also suggested there are food items such as 'samosa' and other fried food and a nationwide propgramme can be started to find out as to which can be termed as HFSS food. 

The panel has also suggested a canteen policy to provide nutritious food in school be developed to ensure that such canteens are not treated as "commercial outlets". 

"A school health team or a similar unit could be set up in each school comprising teachers, parents and school canteen operators which will coordinate, implement and monitor the canteen policy to make available quality and nutritious food to students in schools," the report said. 

On being told that the guidelines have been framed, the bench, headed by acting Chiief Justice B D Ahmed, asked FSSAI to file them within two days with advance copies to the petitioner and the amicus curiae. 

The court is hearing the PIL filed by Uday Foundation seeking an immediate ban on junk food and carbonated drinks in all unaided and private schools. 

The NGO has also sought a direction to initiate measures to discourage availability of fast food within 500 yards of schools in Delhi, apart from a canteen policy.