Lok Sabha Question No. 1274 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-11-25
Subject: Ban on Junk Foods and Soft Drinks in Schools
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Faizal P.P. Mohammed, Suresh Kodikunnil, Behanan Benny

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1274 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.11.2019

## Ban on Junk Foods and Soft Drinks in Schools

## 1274.  MOHAMMED FAIZAL P.P.: SHRI BENNY BEHANAN: SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to ban junk foods and soft drinks in school cafeterias and boarding schools and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of  India  has  created  a framework  regulation  to  prevent  the  consumption  of  unhealthy  food  by  school children;
- (c) if so, whether the Government proposes to ban the sale of pre-packaged foods to school children in school canteens, mess and hostel kitchens and also prohibit food  manufacturers  and  food  vendors  from  handing  out  free  samples  of  low nutrition food to children in sporting events;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to clamp down advertisements of such food products in school premises or in proximity to educational institutions as per the stipulations cited in the 'Eat right' campaign and if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

- (a): Education being a subject in the Concurrent List of the Constitution and a substantial majority  of  schools  are  under  the  jurisdiction  of  the  State  Governments,  it  is  for  the respective State Governments to take appropriate action / decision to prevent sale of junk food and soft drink in their schools.  So far as the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)  affiliated  schools  are  concerned,  the  Board  has  issued  strict  direction  to  its

affiliated  schools  to  desist  from  serving  fast  food  in  schools.    The  Board  has  also directed  its  affiliated  schools  to  ensure  that  Junk/  fast  food  needs  to  be  replaced completely with healthy snacks, juice and dairy products. The schools have also been directed to ensure that there is no food  HFSS (food high in Fat, Sugar and Salt such as chips, fried foods, carbonated beverages, ready-to-eat noodles, pizzas, burgers, potato fries  and  confectionery  items,  chocolates,  candies,  samosas,  bread  pakora,  etc.) available in the school canteens.

(b): The  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Authority  of  India  (FSSAI)  has  informed  that 'Junk Food' has not defined under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Rules and Regulations made thereunder. However, as per the directions of the Hon'ble High Court  of  Delhi  in  the  matter  of  WPC  No.  8568  of  2010  titled  'Uday  Foundation  for Congenital  Defects  and  Rare  Blood  Vs  UOI  &  Others',  Food  Safety  and  Standards Authority  of  India  (FSSAI)  has  notified  draft  regulations  titled  'Food  Safety  and Standards  (Safe  Food  and  Healthy  Diets  for  School  Children)  Regulations,  2019'  in Gazette  of  India  on  30th  October,  2019  inviting  comments/suggestions  from  the stakeholders.

(c) and (d): As  per  the  provisions  of  the  aforesaid  draft  Regulations,  the  School Authority should ensure that no person shall offer or expose for sale of pre-packaged foods  which  are  referred  to  as  foods  high  in  fat,  salt  and  sugar  to  school  children  in school  canteens/  mess  premises/  hostel  kitchens  or  within  50  meters  of  the  school campus.  Further,  Food  Business  Operators  (FBOs)  should  support  healthy  eating  in schools  and  not  market,  sell,  or  give  away  low-nutrition  foods  anywhere  on  school campus,  including  through  logos,  brand  names,  posters,  textbook  covers,  sporting events, education materials, buses and buildings.

(e): As  per  the  provisions  of  this  draft  Regulation,  Food  Business  Operators manufacturing foods high in fat, salt and sugar shall not advertise or offer for free sale of such foods to children in school premises or within 50 meters of the School campus.

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