Experts can't digest HC ruling, say it won't help

NEW DELHI: Health experts have expressed shock and dismay over the Delhi high court's refusal to ban sale of junk food in schools.

They claim that putting 'restrictions', the suggested option, cannot help curb the menace which is associated with three of the four major non-communicable diseases-cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases. It is responsible for about a quarter of all deaths globally, say doctors.

"Restrictions mean nothing. The regulatory mechanism in our country is so poor that it is impossible to limit the sale of junk food items unless it is banned completely," said Dr Anoop Misra, director and head, Fortis C-Doc. He gave the example of California in the US where the ban on junk food in schools has led to a reduction in calorie consumption, improving children's health.

In India, health experts pointed to the success of the ban on smoking in public places to draw parallel to the need for a similar action against consumption of carbonated and caffeinated beverages, chips and packaged fried food, instant noodles and confectionaries.

The Delhi high court, in its order, has approved guidelines made by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) which advocates that food high in fat and sugar content be 'restricted' from canteens, and asked the government to implement them in three months.

Speaking to TOI, Sunita Narain who was a member of FSSAI committee that framed the guidelines, said: "It is disappointing that the court has not banned junk food in schools. But we feel that the guidelines have detailed points on how to limit the usage of such food items in schools. If implemented properly, it can help avoid the health crisis."

According to Dr Sujeet Jha, who heads the endocrinology department at Max Hospital, Saket, a ban on junk food in schools could have sent a strong message to the public. "Children consume more junk food at home than in schools. But the ban order would have helped significantly in sending across the message that children must be discouraged," he said.

Another senior doctor  said, "The FSSAI guidelines have replaced the word 'ban' with 'restrictions' and regulatory area near schools has been reduced from 500 yards to 50 metres, which is not satisfactory".

For example, one can give children cereal with milk, but add crushed dates instead of sugar to sweeten it. One can also use brown or whole-wheat bread for preparations like sandwich, subs or toast.