State may ban sale of junk food in and around schools

Edu Minister Cites Draft Central Regulations

Bengaluru:

Noodles, pizzas, French fries, burgers, chips, samosas and gulab jamuns will be among a range of junk food items whose sale is likely to be banned within 50 metres of and on the premises of schools across Karnataka.

On Thursday, primary and secondary education minister S Suresh Kumar issued a directive to the department’s principal secretary to frame rules for implementation of the junk food ban. Citing the draft Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Healthy Diets for Schoolchildren) Regulations, 2019 issued on October 30 by the Union health and family welfare ministry, Kumar said the ban must be implemented in the state immediately. The minister said it should cover carbonated beverages, processed fruit juice packs and other such junk food.

He directed the education department to implement 10-point draft regulations laid out by the Union government for schools to ensure safe food and healthy diet in their premises. When pointed out they were only draft regulations and yet to be finalised after considering objections from the public, Suresh Kumar told TOI he was yet to go into details of the central notification and draft regulations.

The regulations state a school authority selling or catering school meals by itself on the school campus shall be registered as a ‘Food Business Operator’ from the authority concerned under provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. The regulations mention that food business operators manufacturing items shall not advertise or offer free sale of such foods on the institution’s premises or within 50 metres of the campus. They also provide details on what students should eat sparingly, moderately, carefully and adequately.

The Karnataka Associated Management of Private Schools (KAMS) welcomed the move but said it would be difficult to implement. “We understand the minister’s intention. However, the police and health departments have failed in curtailing sale and usage of tobacco products in the vicinity of schools. How will they implement the junk food ban,” wondered D Shashi Kumar, general secretary, KAMS.

SR Umashankar, principal secretary, primary and secondary education, said he was yet to look into the letter.