Schools welcome move to ban junk food near campuses

BHUBANESWAR: Schools in the city have welcomed Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's (FSSAI's) proposed guidelines to ban junk food and food with high amount of salt, sugar and fat, near their campuses.

FSSAI has also asked schools to form a canteen policy to provide wholesome nutritious food to children.

While welcoming the move, city schools said there was confusion over the definition of 'junk food'.

FSSAI's guidelines seek ban on sale of burgers, chips, aerated drinks, noodles, pastas and pizzas within 50-metre radius of a school. The term 'junk food' is understood as food high in fat, sodium and sugar and lacking in micro-nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fibre and these food responsible for obesity, dental cavities and heart diseases.

FSSAI sent the list of guidelines to the Centre earlier this month.

"Food is different according to the geographic location of the place. What we call junk here may not be junk elsewhere. In Bhubaneswar, we sweat a lot so our diet must include lots of salt and water. So dahibara, aludam and gupchups are also good for health. The ban (on sale of junk food near schools) is a welcome step no doubt but it may not solve the problem as children can avail it in other parts of the city," said principal of SAI International School, Harish Sanduja.

He said the school serves mostly home cooked food, Indian ethnic food, including roti, chawal, dalma, alu matar, paneer, rajma-chawal, chhole, to children.

Some international schools in the city have students from other countries, so they have to choose menu accordingly. "We don't encourage junk food in the school at all. But we try to give them a mix of taste and food that will be nutritious. Having students from different countries, it is difficult to make a menu that suits all. Sometimes, they may not like the food initially, but they get used to it soon," said principal of KIIT International School, Sanjay Suar.

He said the school has students from 15 countries, including Singapore, South Korea, Australia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Zambia and Nigeria. "We have to add continental food in the menu in consultation with the dietician," he added.

"Including nutritious food and items that are tasty in a child's lunch box has always been a challenge, which gave rise to junk food. We would have liked a complete ban on the sale of junk food, but restriction is an important step in recognition of the fact that this kind of food is bad for children and must not be allowed in schools. We, at our school, provide our students the best quality nutritious food that equals a healthy and balanced diet," said Poly Patnaik, principal, Mother's Public School.

Many big schools in the city have their own canteens. Though the sale of aerated drink is banned in most schools, but chips, burgers, patties are available.