Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Madhya Pradesh Panel Seeks 50-Metre Junk Food Ban Near Schools
A child-rights commission in Madhya Pradesh wants schools to have healthier food surroundings.
It has asked the government to stop the sale and advertising of junk food in schools, colleges and hostels.
It also wants the rule to cover food shops within 50 metres of educational institutions.
The proposal includes foods high in fat, salt or sugar, as well as ultra-processed foods.
The Commission says children are increasingly eating packaged snacks, sugary drinks and fried foods.
It wants schools to provide a clear list of nutritious foods instead.
Several government departments would work together on the plan.
The goal is to support healthier eating and reduce future health risks such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.
The Madhya Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has sought a ban on selling and advertising unhealthy foods in and near educational institutions.
The proposed restriction would cover high-fat, high-salt, high-sugar and ultra-processed foods within a 50-metre radius of schools and colleges.
Commission chairperson Nivedita Sharma made the request in a letter to School Education Minister Rao Uday Pratap Singh.
The Commission cited increasing consumption of packaged foods, sugary drinks, fried snacks and other highly processed items among children.
It also recommended healthy-food standards and a coordinated action plan involving several state departments.
- Who
- The Madhya Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, chaired by Nivedita Sharma, made the request to School Education Minister Rao Uday Pratap Singh.
- What
- The Commission proposed banning the sale and advertising of high-fat, high-salt, high-sugar and ultra-processed foods in educational institutions and within 50 metres of them.
- When
- The article does not specify when the letter was sent.
- Where
- The proposed measures concern schools, colleges, student hostels and nearby food outlets in Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- The Commission said limiting children's access to unhealthy foods could improve eating habits and reduce future risks of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and other lifestyle-related health problems.
- Proposed buffer zone
- 50 metres around educational institutions
- Foods targeted
- High-fat, high-salt, high-sugar and ultra-processed foods
- Institutions covered
- Schools, colleges and student hostels
- Additional recommendation
- Set standards and lists of healthy foods for canteens, cafeterias, hostels and campus food outlets
- Commission chairperson
- Nivedita Sharma
- Government coordination
- Health, school education, women and child development, food safety, urban administration, and panchayat and rural development departments