1 week ago
Rajasthan High Court Bans Junk Food Near Schools
The Rajasthan High Court said schools and nearby sellers must not sell certain unhealthy foods.
The rule covers fizzy drinks, chips and some bakery products.
It applies inside schools and within 50 metres of their gates.
Each school must create a food-safety committee with teachers, parents and students.
Canteens must show calories, ingredients and nutrition information on menus.
Officials will regularly inspect schools to check whether the rules are followed.
The court also said computers and artificial intelligence should not replace reading, handwriting, note-taking and written exams.
It wants rural schools to receive better facilities and more teachers.
The court also called for stronger action against examination paper leaks and excessive screen time.
The Rajasthan High Court banned high-fat, high-sugar and high-salt foods in school canteens and within 50 metres of school gates.
Carbonated drinks, chips, trans-fat-containing bakery products and other junk food are covered by the restriction.
Schools must form food-safety and nutrition committees within four weeks and display calorie, ingredient and nutrition information within eight weeks.
Midday meals must follow balanced-diet guidelines, while officials must conduct monthly or surprise inspections and monitor compliance.
The court also raised concerns about screen time, artificial intelligence, paper leaks and shortages of teachers and facilities in rural schools.
- Who
- The Rajasthan High Court’s single bench, led by Justice Anoop Kumar Dhand, along with schools, education authorities and government officials.
- What
- The court banned sales of specified junk foods near schools and issued directions on nutrition, inspections, technology use, paper leaks and rural-school facilities.
- Where
- Across Rajasthan, in school canteens, within 50 metres of school gates and in rural and remote government schools.
- When
- The directions were issued on Monday; committees are due within four weeks, menu information within eight weeks, and government responses are due within six to eight weeks.
- Why
- The court cited children’s health and nutrition, inadequate school infrastructure, excessive screen time, declining basic learning skills and repeated paper leaks.
Key facts
- Restricted area
- School premises and locations within 50 metres of school gates.
- Restricted foods
- High-fat, high-sugar and high-salt foods, including carbonated drinks, chips and trans-fat-containing bakery products.
- School committees
- Every school must establish a School Food Safety and Nutrition Committee within four weeks, including teachers, parents and student representatives.
- Menu requirements
- Canteens must display calorie counts, ingredients and nutritional values and use traffic-light labelling within eight weeks.
- Meal standards
- Midday meals and other nutrition schemes must follow balanced-diet guidelines associated with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
- Inspections
- District Magistrates and Block Education Officers must conduct monthly inspections; District Collectors must conduct surprise inspections of rural schools.
- Additional measures
- Authorities were directed to address vacant teacher posts, connectivity, classrooms, health check-ups, toilets, drinking water, sports facilities and paper leaks.
Quotes
Rajasthan High Court
The Jodhpur bench of the Rajasthan High Court
“This court is deeply concerned that where on the one hand, the nation prepares 'Gen Z', 'Gen Alpha' and 'Gen Beta' to lead India in 2047 (100 years of independence of our Nation) and beyond, on the other hand, the foundational institutions meant to nurture them, particularly the government schools in rural and village areas continue to suffer from systemic deficiencies”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Rajasthan High Court bans junk food sale within 50-meter radius of schools in state
Rajasthan HC puts junk food off-limits in schools and 50 metres outside gates, orders monthly inspections
Rajasthan HC Bans Junk Food Near Schools, Flags Screen Time, Paper Leaks
Rajasthan High Court Bans Junk Food Sales Within 50 Metres Of Schools, Orders Nutrition Monitoring
Rajasthan High Court bans chips, fizzy drinks, junk food in and around schools - Telegraph India
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