Panel seeks ban on sale of junk food to children in and around schools

A committee on junk food and childhood obesity set up by ministry of women and child development has recommended ban on junk foods in school canteens and within 200 metres of schools. The committee submitted its report recently. The ministry said that it was examining the report.
The committee has expressed concern over rising childhood obesity, diabetes and hypertension and has developed guidelines on management of school canteens besides recommending which food items need to be offered by canteens. It has suggested modifications in labelling of prepackaged foods and school health programmes as well.
The members of the committee also expressed concern over childhood obesity related physiological issues including diabetes and hypertension. They have also given details of consequences of increasing psychological and behavioural dysfunctionalities in children including binge-eating, body dissatisfaction, and low self-esteem.
The ministry had constituted the committee this year under the chairmanship of director, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, on matters relating to availability of junk food in myriad forms at various places accessible to children. The members of the committee included representatives from Neeti Ayog, ministry of health & family welfare, department of AYUSH, ministry of HRD, Bureau of Indian Standards, FSSAI, National Institute of Public Cooperation & Child Development, and ICMR and independent experts from the fields of nutrition and clinical psychology/ behavioural science.
The ministry informed, “The committee has comprehensively reviewed the prevalent practices of regulation of junk food in 23 countries across the world and has also examined the legislative and institutional framework available in India. Based on their study, a number of recommendations have been made. The committee has suggested a comprehensive definition of junk food in the context of children and has suggested that all food items falling in the definition of junk food should be banned in the school canteens. It has also suggested that vendors and street vendors should not be permitted to sell these foods during school timings in vicinity of 200 metres from any school. They further suggested that shops and restaurants selling food within 200 metres of a school should not be permitted to sell these foods to children in school uniforms. They have further suggested that a list of desirable food items to be offered in the school canteen. Recommendations have also been made for labelling of pre-packaged food stating clearly as “unfit for infant/children/pregnant and lactating mothers or persons with specific ailments.””
Sunita Narain, director-general, CSE, responding to the development, said, “Junk food consumption among school children is a big problem and the recommendations of the committee are in the right direction. Several countries have taken similar measures. The ministry needs to take this forward now.”
She adds,“CSE welcomes the recommendations of the committee. The government must act on it now. Banning junk food in schools and near-by, formulating school canteen guidelines and appropriate labelling regulations are some of the necessary steps. CSE has been pushing for such comprehensive set of regulatory initiatives for stricter control on availability and exposure among school children.”
A number of recommendations have been made regarding modification of school health card to include nutrition related aspects and that the School Health Programme should be renamed as School Health and Nutrition Programme. The committee has given detailed recommendations regarding establishment and management of school canteen and comprehensive advertisement and promotion campaign to be undertaken jointly by different stakeholder ministries.
Meanwhile, it is pertinent to mention here that an order by the Delhi High Court has also directed the apex food regulator to form guidelines in this regard. And FSSAI has constituted a committee which will dwell upon the subject of junk food.