Introduction:
The aim is to ensure that school kids get safe and wholesome food. The FSSAI has restricted the sale of junk and unhealthy food in canteens of schools and other educational institutions. Its a first of its kind, where FSSAI has pushed in new regulation under the Food Safety and Standard Act which aims to provide a safe, nutritious and healthy diet for school children.
1. FSSAI (The Food and Standards Authority of India) Statement:
In a statement to ANI, FSSAI has said, "The idea is to provide safe food and balanced diet for children in schools. Foods which are referred to as foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) cannot be sold to schoolchildren in school canteens or mess premises or hostel kitchens or within 50 metres of the school campus.[1]Apart from this, FSSAI has also prohibited the sale and advertisement of unhealthy food within 50 metres of the school premises.
According to reports, the municipal authorities and state administration will do regular inspection at the school premises to ensure that kids are served safe, healthy and hygienic food.
2. Banned by UGC:
Eating junk food is not unhealthy. But the excess of it creates issues like obesity. A ban should not have been imposed by the UGC but instead a regulatory measure should have been taken. UGC should promote healthy food like daal-chawal, but banning on junk food is not the solution. The students will still have access to junk food because of prevalence of small food outlets near the college. Ms.Nazish Khan, a professor in Bharti College says, Its a welcome move by the UGC and should have been implemented long ago. However, its never too late. There might be some problems with the execution but nonetheless, it will bring a healthy living.[2]
3. The FSSAI has issued guidelines:
The highlight of the Guidelines:
1.Schools or Food Business operators who are selling or catering meals must obtain a license as applicable and comply with the requirements of sanitary and hygienic practices to the foodservice establishments as specified under schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) regulations, 2011
2. Any food products that contain high in saturated fat or trans-fat or added sugar or sodium (HFSS) cannot be sold to school children in school children in school canteens/ mess premises/ hostel kitchens or an area within fifty meters (50) from the school gate in any direction.
3. School Authority should display a board containing warning Do not sell (including free sale or market or advertise) the food products high in saturated fat or trans-fat or added sugar or sodium within school premises or campus" in English or one Indian language as applicable, is displayed prominently at the entrance gate or gates of the school.
4. No Advertisement or marketing of such foods (Including through logos, brand names, posters, textbook covers etc. or in an area within fifty meters from the school gate in any direction )
5.No Mandatory license (fssai certified Eat Right Campus) for any foodservice establishments to operate inside the school campus.
6. Schools to promote and prepare an extensive programme to cultivate habits among with the children to eat healthy foods No food waste policies in line with the FSSAI, National Institute of Nutrition periodically.
7. The School Authority should comply that meals are prepared inside the premises as per the direction issued by the Food Authority or the Commissioners of Food safety.
7.1. Regular inspection of school premises to ensure that safe, balanced and hygienic food is served to students by the Public authorities like Municipal Corporation or any other local body or Panchayat in an area, as may be notified, in addition to State Food Authority shall also ensure the compliance of these regulations.
7.2. Creating a sub-committee by the State Level Advisory Committee to monitor the implementation of these regulations and to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food to school children.
7.3. FSSAI also direct all the state authorities / Department education to issue any rules for promoting safe diets for children based on these regulations. [3]
4. Reasons Junk Food Should Be Allowed in School: Pros
- It's important for children to eat something.
Every child is different and has their own very particular likes and dislikes in regards to food. Kids cannot be pressured to eat what they do not like. Research shows that children do not like eating nutritional meals and are likely to skip their meals or waste their food if they don't like it. If a child does not eat in school, they are likely to have depleted energy and immunity levels.
Most kids are happy to eat when they snack on greasy burgers, sandwiches, and hot dogs. It is a satisfying and reassuring feeling for parents to know their child eats something at school rather than staying hungry, even if it means junk food.
2. Junk food is easier and cheaper.
Some parents pack a lunchbox of snacks made at home for their children. Sometimes parents are too busy. In times like these, most children will love to find fast food burgers or sandwiches in their lunch bag. Junk food is an easy, tasty, less expensive, and convenient option for children who have busy parents.
3. Vending machines are profitable for schools.
Installing vending machines that offer snacks is a useful and profitable option for schools. It is easy and convenient for children to buy cheap junk snacks from a vending machine, and a sizable profit is made. This profit can be used to improve the school's facilities.
4. Using healthy ingredients can reduce the junk in junk food.
Junk food has a bad reputation because of its unhealthy and greasy content. Certain preservatives and ingredients are added to processed food to increase its shelf life.But schools can ensure that their meals are made fresh with healthy ingredients. Using the right oil and the optimal temperature for cooking ensures less penetration of the oil in the foods.
5. Kids should have freedom of choice when it comes to their meals.
Strict rules and policies in regard to junk food are not a solution. Its not right to limit the freedom of choice of school students. Research shows that schools that implement a "no junk food" policy have a higher number of kids that do not eat, either because they do not like the healthy meals served in the cafeteria or because they can't afford those options. Ideally, the food options given to children should be as varied as possible.
5. Reasons Junk Food Should Be Banned In School: Cons
1. Junk food leads to obesity.
Junk foods usually have a high level of salt, fat, calories, and sugar and offer limited nutritional value. Consumption of unhealthy foods on a regular basis leads to obesity.
The amounts of fats and sugar in junk are alarmingly high. Children are at risk of gaining weight and becoming obese if they consume foods high in sugar, carbs, and salts. Junk foods often do not include dietary fibers and other vital nutrients that play a pivotal role in maintaining a healthy body.
2. Children get habituated to unhealthy eating.
When children get habituated to eating junk food, it becomes extremely difficult for them to get accustomed to eating healthy foods. Children who eat junk food every day find it difficult to enjoy a healthy meal that consists of lean meats, salads, leafy greens, or other vegetables. Junk food has a synthetic taste that is very addictive. Children who eat junk food regularly get habituated to a certain type and amount of flavor and find it difficult to adjust to balanced meals with nutritional value.
3. Junk food increases the risk for heart disease and liver disease.
Children who carry their junk food habit to adulthood are at higher risk of liver damage and heart attack. Junk foods have exceedingly high levels of sodium and fat that contribute towards raised cholesterol levels and buildup of arterial plaque. This in turn can bring about drastic changes in the circulatory system, thereby fluctuating blood pressure levels and increasing the risk of suffering a stroke. Junk food is also a source of trans fatty acids that lead to fat deposits in the liver and pose a set of varied liver problems.
4. Junk food increases the risk of acquiring adult-onset diabetes.
Children who consume junk food regularly are at high risk of developing diabetes in adulthood. Different types of junk food prevent proper absorption of healthy nutrients and minerals, thereby affecting metabolism function and resulting in a weakened immune system. When the metabolism rate is altered drastically, a number of health problems crop up.
5. Regular consumption of junk food causes gastric problems.
Different types of gastrointestinal problems are associated with excessive consumption of junk food. Flatulence is a common problem among children and adults who eat junk foods and fast food on a daily basis. Constipation is also a problem among children who eat excessive junk food.
6. Conclusion:
We know that junk foods are tasty, affordable, and convenient. This makes it hard to limit the amount of junk food we eat. However, if junk foods become a staple of our diets, there can be negative impacts on our health. We should aim for high-fiber foods such as whole grains, vegetables, and fruits; meals that have moderate amounts of sugar and salt; and calcium-rich and iron-rich foods. Healthy foods help to build strong bodies and brains. Limiting junk food intake can happen on an individual level, based on our food choices, or through government policies and health-promotion strategies. We need governments to stop junk food companies from advertising to young people, and we need their help to replace junk food restaurants with more healthy options. We also say that "Health is Wealth".
- Citation:
[1]: https://fssai.gov.in/upload/media/FSSAI_News_JunkFood_LiveMint_10_08_2020.pdf , last visit:6dec,2023.
[2] https://dubeat.com/2018/08/23/sale-of-junk-food-banned-in-all-universities-by-ugc/, Last Visit: 6Dec,2023.
[3] https://fssai.gov.in/upload/media/FSSAI_News_JunkFood_LiveMint_10_08_2020.pdf
