To promote healthy eating among children, the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has prohibited the sale, free distribution, advertisement, and promotion of High Fat, Sugar and Salt (HFSS) food products in schools, colleges and within a 50-metre radius of educational institutions.
The advisory, issued by the Commissioner of Food Safety and Drug Administration, directs school managements, food business operators and enforcement officials to ensure strict compliance with the new norms.
The move comes after inspections by the department found that children in some schools were increasingly consuming processed foods and refined carbohydrates, including white bread, pasta and packaged snacks, which can cause rapid spikes in blood
sugar levels.
Schools have been directed to ensure that HFSS food products are not sold on their premises and to prominently display warning signboards at key locations. The restrictions also apply to food stalls, hotels, bakeries, canteens and other food establishments operating within 50 metres of schools and colleges.
The advisory stresses the need for balanced meals with adequate protein, healthy fats and micronutrients to support children’s growth, health and concentration.
Such establishments must possess valid licences or registrations under the Food Safety and Standards Act and adhere to prescribed hygiene and food safety standards.
The department has instructed Food Safety Officers to conduct regular inspections around educational institutions. Violators could face improvement notices, suspension or cancellation of licences, seizure of food products and legal proceedings under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
The advisory also asks schools to actively promote healthy eating habits and discourage junk food consumption through awareness programmes. Educational institutions have been directed to serve only safe and balanced meals in line with the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020.
The government has recommended that school menus include whole grains, millets, pulses, fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs and freshly prepared foods such as idli, upma and poha. Foods high in saturated fat, trans fat, added sugar and sodium have been specifically excluded from the menu.
