Healthy living: Maneka Gandhi seeks ban on junk food in schools

Union minister for women and child development Maneka Gandhi

New Delhi: Union minister for women and child development Maneka Gandhi is all set to propose a ban on junk food from school canteens and substituting it with healthy options.

According to officials, Mrs Gandhi is considering to take up the matter with the Union HRD and health ministries.

While, the mid-day meal scheme comes under the HRD, the health ministry’s Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) is already working on guidelines for the schools proposing healthy snacks in the school canteens.

A Delhi High Court panel is also looking into the dietary habits of school-going children and is expected to come out with the recommendations for the schools, following a PIL filed by the Uday foundation, an NGO, seeking a ban on junk food sold in schools.

The idea is to recommend guidelines to make available good quality, safe food to students in school canteens.

“While the recommendations are yet to see the light of the day with the case pending in the court, the minister wants to give a push to the ministry’s involvement as the issue involves the health of children,” an official said.