Archive · 24 Sep 2026
India Advances 50-Metre Junk Food Curbs Near Schools
India is thinking about limiting the sale of unhealthy foods near schools.
The foods include sugary drinks, chips, chocolates, noodles, samosas, pizzas and burgers.
The proposed limit would cover an area 50 metres around schools.
Officials want children to develop healthier eating habits.
They also hope food companies will change recipes to make products healthier.
Some shopkeepers worry that their sales could fall.
A trade group says many schools are near busy markets, so enforcing the rule could hurt businesses.
Maharashtra is using a stricter approach by telling nearby shops not to stock these foods.
The proposal comes as the number of overweight or obese Indian children has increased.
India is considering restricting sales and advertising of high-fat, salt and sugar foods within 50 metres of schools.
The proposal could affect shops, restaurants and food stalls near roughly 1.5 million schools.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India says the plan aims to prevent unhealthy eating habits and encourage healthier product reformulation.
Childhood overweight and obesity rose from 28 million Indians aged 5-19 in 2015 to 41 million in 2025, according to cited World Obesity Federation data.
Shopkeepers and food-industry representatives warn the restrictions could reduce sales and threaten livelihoods, while Maharashtra has already ordered 51 violating shops to discontinue business.
- Who
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, shopkeepers, food companies, food-industry representatives and state officials are involved.
- What
- India is considering restrictions on the sale and advertising of high-fat, salt and sugar foods within 50 metres of schools, along with possible warning labels.
- When
- The proposal was first made in 2020; fat, salt and sugar thresholds were published in August, with public feedback invited until October 6, 2026.
- Where
- The proposal concerns schools across India; Maharashtra has adopted a stricter approach around schools.
- Why
- Officials say the measures are intended to reduce unhealthy eating habits and respond to rising childhood overweight and obesity.
Public-Health Case
Business Concerns
Protecting children
Public-Health Case
FSSAI chief executive Rajit Punhani says restricting access to high-fat, salt and sugar foods can help prevent unhealthy habits and encourage healthier choices.
Business Concerns
Shopkeepers and food-industry representatives say the rule could reduce sales and threaten livelihoods, particularly near crowded markets.
Scope of restrictions
Public-Health Case
Officials say businesses could continue selling products that do not exceed the proposed fat, salt and sugar thresholds, while restrictions could steer companies toward healthier recipes.
Business Concerns
The Confederation of Indian Food Trade and Industry argues that restrictions should apply only inside schools because determining whether products are sold specifically to schoolchildren would be difficult.
Effectiveness and enforcement
Public-Health Case
Researchers and officials point to Chile, where warning labels and school sales restrictions were followed by product reformulation and a lower probability of excess weight among children.
Business Concerns
Industry specialists say compliance would be difficult around schools serving the general public, and food companies are concerned because children are an important consumer group.
- Proposed distance
- 50 metres from schools
- Potentially affected schools
- Approximately 1.5 million schools in India
- Products mentioned
- Sugary drinks, chips, chocolates, instant noodles, samosas, pizzas and burgers
- Responsible authority
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
- Child obesity figures
- The number of overweight or obese Indians aged 5-19 rose from 28 million in 2015 to 41 million in 2025 and is projected to reach 56 million by 2040
- Maharashtra enforcement
- Inspectors found violations at 133 shops within 50 metres of schools and ordered 51 to discontinue business
- Proposal status
- No fixed timeline has been set for the regulations
