High Fat, Sugar And Salt Foods Banned Within School Premises In Karnataka

BENGALURU: In its order, officials of the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department on Friday banned the sale, promotion and advertisement of high fat, sugar and salt foods within school and college campuses and a 50-metre radius around them.

The order issued under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 stated the ban order is aimed at curbing rising health risks among children after inspections from officials concerned came across refined carbohydrates and processed snacks being served to students. The order asked schools and colleges to display warning signboards, ensure high fat, sugar and salt are removed from menus and vendors near campuses must hold valid licenses to sell food items.

At regular intervals, the order said Food Safety Officers will conduct routine inspections and erring persons will be penalised including seizure of products, license suspension and initiating judicial action for violators.

The order mandates serving balanced meals in institutions with 75 to 80 percent of menus comprising whole grains, pulses, millets, fruits, vegetables, milk and eggs while use of oils and ghee must be in moderation. Reheated fats are banned and the order asked schools to provide free safe drinking water along with structured meal-times to promote healthy eating habits.

A variety of foods to be provided across the week, as a general principle. The school menu shall be cereal-protein combination and a micronutrient rich meal for students. In order to prepare the meals more nutritious, fortified wheat flour, rice, milk, edible oil and double fortified salt may be strictly adhering to the standards specified in the Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2018.