Nisha Pandey

No Junk Food Near Schools! Maharashtra FDA Bans Sale Of Foods & Drinks High In Fat, Salt & Sugar

Maharashtra Food And Drug Administration (FDA) has taken a significant step towards promoting healthy eating habits in children. On Wednesday, FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe announced that foods and drinks high in fat, sugar, and salt should not be sold within 50 metres of school premises.

"Within school premises and up to 50 metres from the school compound, the sale, advertisement and free distribution of high fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) food items is completely banned by the FDA. It will be implemented strictly," Mundhe said.

<h2>Why Did Maharashtra FDA Ban The Sale Of HFSS Food Items? </h2>

HFSS food items could neither be sold, advertised, nor distributed free of cost within the prescribed limits around schools in <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/maharashtra-bans-pak-made-fairness-creams-after-fda-finds-lead-mercury-heres-why-they-should-be-avoided-article-154946974" data-type="tilCustomLink">Maharashtra</a> anymore.

The recent ban covers popular junk food items like vada pav, samosas, deep-fried snacks, chips, cold drinks, sugary beverages, chocolates and ice cream. 

Mundhe said the state government had issued a compliance order on July 27 to enforce food safety and nutritional standards across educational institutions. 

He also said that the move would affect nearly two crore students studying in around 1.08 lakh schools in Maharashtra. 

The guidelines would apply to all government, government-aided and private schools affiliated to any education board, meaning that no educational institution would be exempt from the ban.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/no-more-buy-1-get-1-free-after-uk-northern-ireland-restricts-promotion-of-unhealthy-foods-to-tackle-obesity-article-155213232" data-type="tilCustomLink">No More 'Buy 1 Get 1 Free': After UK, Northern Ireland Restricts Promotion Of Unhealthy Foods To Tackle Obesity</a>

He also said that canteens, <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/over-77-of-indian-children-suffer-from-dietary-diversity-deficit-finds-study-can-this-be-managed-article-151067579" data-type="tilCustomLink">midday meal kitchens</a>, food suppliers and hostel kitchens catering to schools must obtain mandatory registration and licenses under food safety regulations.

He added, "No organisation or institution can prepare or supply food to schools, hostels or under the midday meal scheme without registration and a valid license to operate." 

He said school principals, headmasters and local authorities would play a key role in implementing the restrictions. 

According to the guidelines, the move is applicable for children from 22 months of age up to students studying in Class 12. 

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/nearly-1-6-million-dozen-eggs-recalled-in-us-over-potential-salmonella-contamination-fda-article-155160668" data-type="tilCustomLink">Nearly 1.6 Million Dozen Eggs Recalled in US Over Potential Salmonella Contamination: FDA</a>

HealthandMe spoke to Dr Rahul Verma, Director of Paediatrics and Neonatology at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, about the impact this move would have on children's health.

Dr Verma says that rather than viewing the decision only as a ban on <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/lets-fix-our-food-india-launches-new-policy-to-fight-childhood-obesity-boost-nutrition-article-155158665" data-type="tilCustomLink">junk food</a>, it should be seen as an attempt to reshape children's food environment.

He says, "When healthier choices become the default in schools, children are more likely to develop better eating habits that can continue into adulthood. Reaching over 1.08 lakh schools and nearly 2 crore students from preschool to Class 12 gives this initiative the potential to influence an entire generation at a stage when lifelong dietary preferences are still being formed." 

He also said that the policy also goes beyond simply removing HFSS foods. By making FSSAI licensing mandatory for school canteens, introducing regular compliance checks, and encouraging the inclusion of nutritious foods such as fruits, pulses, and whole grains, it creates a structured system that supports healthier eating rather than relying on restrictions alone.

In an X post, Dr. Sivaranjini, a pediatrician, suggested a different approach which seems to be a much simpler way of differentiating between healthy and unhealthy foods. 

She wrote, " Front-of-pack label (FOPL) warnings are the simplest and most effective way to help people make better food choices in India. A clear “High in Sugar” or “High in Salt” or "High in Fat" warning takes seconds to understand. No calculations. No nutrition knowledge. Just a simple signal that says, 'Think twice'".

The doctor says that unhealthy, processed foods are often marketed as healthy due to misleading labels and claims on their packaging.

Be Warned, Street Food Cooked In Reused Oil Can Give You Cancer #shorts #shortsfeed

She added, "The problem with systems like Nutri-Score or Health Star Ratings is that they average everything into one score. A product loaded with sugar can still look “healthy” because it has added protein, fiber, or vitamins." 

Providing real-life examples, she informed, "A sugary breakfast cereal still gets HIGH IN SUGAR, even if fibre and vitamins are added to it. An instant noodle high in sodium still gets HIGH IN SODIUM even if protein and vitamins are added to it. A packaged fruit juice with excessive free sugars still gets <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/smoking-diabetes-high-blood-pressure-may-fuel-the-most-dangerous-type-of-artery-plaque-study-finds-article-155204401" data-type="tilCustomLink">HIGH IN SUGAR</a>, though it's directly from the fruit."

Although the move is a positive step towards protecting children's health, sustained success will depend on whether healthy food remains accessible, affordable, and appealing to children. If children continue to consume highly processed foods outside school or at home, the long-term benefits may be limited.

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Maharashtra Food And Drug Administration (FDA) has taken a significant step towards promoting healthy eating habits in children. On Wednesday, FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe announced that foods and drinks high in fat, sugar, and salt should not be sold within 50 metres of school premises. "Within school premises and up to 50 metres from the school compound, the sale, advertisement and free distribution of high fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) food items is completely banned by the FDA. It will be implemented strictly," Mundhe said. Why Did Maharashtra FDA Ban The Sale Of HFSS Food Items? HFSS food items could neither be sold, advertised, nor distributed free of cost within the prescribed limits around schools in Maharashtra anymore. The recent ban covers popular junk food items like vada pav, samosas, deep-fried snacks, chips, cold drinks, sugary beverages, chocolates and ice cream. Mundhe said the state government had issued a compliance order on July 27 to enforce food safety and nutritional standards across educational institutions. He also said that the move would affect nearly two crore students studying in around 1.08 lakh schools in Maharashtra. The guidelines would apply to all government, government-aided and private schools affiliated to any education board, meaning that no educational institution would be exempt from the ban.Also read: No More 'Buy 1 Get 1 Free': After UK, Northern Ireland Restricts Promotion Of Unhealthy Foods To Tackle Obesity He also said that canteens, midday meal kitchens, food suppliers and hostel kitchens catering to schools must obtain mandatory registration and licenses under food safety regulations. He added, "No organisation or institution can prepare or supply food to schools, hostels or under the midday meal scheme without registration and a valid license to operate." He said school principals, headmasters and local authorities would play a key role in implementing the restrictions. According to the guidelines, the move is applicable for children from 22 months of age up to students studying in Class 12. Experts React Also read: Nearly 1.6 Million Dozen Eggs Recalled in US Over Potential Salmonella Contamination: FDAHealthandMe spoke to Dr Rahul Verma, Director of Paediatrics and Neonatology at Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, about the impact this move would have on children's health. Dr Verma says that rather than viewing the decision only as a ban on junk food, it should be seen as an attempt to reshape children's food environment. He says, "When healthier choices become the default in schools, children are more likely to develop better eating habits that can continue into adulthood. Reaching over 1.08 lakh schools and nearly 2 crore students from preschool to Class 12 gives this initiative the potential to influence an entire generation at a stage when lifelong dietary preferences are still being formed." He also said that the policy also goes beyond simply removing HFSS foods. By making FSSAI licensing mandatory for school canteens, introducing regular compliance checks, and encouraging the inclusion of nutritious foods such as fruits, pulses, and whole grains, it creates a structured system that supports healthier eating rather than relying on restrictions alone.         Front-of-pack label(FOPL) warnings are the simplest and most effective way to help people make better food choices in India.A clear “High in Sugar” or “High in Salt” or &quot;High in Fat&quot; warning takes seconds to understand. No calculations. No nutrition knowledge. Just a simple… pic.twitter.com/8tOmTyIEQe&mdash; Dr.Sivaranjini (@dr_sivaranjani) July 29, 2026 ]]>In an X post, Dr. Sivaranjini, a pediatrician, suggested a different approach which seems to be a much simpler way of differentiating between healthy and unhealthy foods. She wrote, " Front-of-pack label (FOPL) warnings are the simplest and most effective way to help people make better food choices in India. A clear “High in Sugar” or “High in Salt” or "High in Fat" warning takes seconds to understand. No calculations. No nutrition knowledge. Just a simple signal that says, 'Think twice'".The doctor says that unhealthy, processed foods are often marketed as healthy due to misleading labels and claims on their packaging.          She added, "The problem with systems like Nutri-Score or Health Star Ratings is that they average everything into one score. A product loaded with sugar can still look “healthy” because it has added protein, fiber, or vitamins." Providing real-life examples, she informed, "A sugary breakfast cereal still gets HIGH IN SUGAR, even if fibre and vitamins are added to it. An instant noodle high in sodium still gets HIGH IN SODIUM even if protein and vitamins are added to it. A packaged fruit juice with excessive free sugars still gets HIGH IN SUGAR, though it's directly from the fruit." Although the move is a positive step towards protecting children's health, sustained success will depend on whether healthy food remains accessible, affordable, and appealing to children. If children continue to consume highly processed foods outside school or at home, the long-term benefits may be limited.

no junk food near schools! maharashtra fda bans sale of foods & drinks high in fat, salt & sugar

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