1 week ago
Mumbai Schools Replace Junk Food With Healthier Menus
Some schools in Mumbai are changing what they sell to children.
Foods like vada pav, samosa, and fried snacks are being replaced with foods such as idli, dosa, poha, and upma.
Fizzy drinks are also being removed or replaced with chaas.
The changes follow instructions from Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration and education authorities.
Schools must also report sellers of unhealthy food operating within 50 metres of their buildings.
However, schools cannot remove those sellers themselves.
Many parents support the changes and are sending healthier food in lunch boxes.
They also want rules to cover shops and vendors outside school grounds.
Schools run by the Archdiocesan Board of Education have replaced vada pav, samosa and other fried foods with idli, dosa, poha, sheera and upma.
Aerated drinks are banned in the affected school canteens, while some schools have replaced soft drinks with chaas.
Maharashtra schools were told to enforce 2020 food-safety regulations and prevent High Fat, Sugar and Salt food sales within 50 metres of school premises.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe directed officials to implement the order within a week and conduct awareness programmes for school leaders.
Parents have largely welcomed healthier school food but are urging authorities to regulate junk-food sellers outside school premises as well.
- Who
- Maharashtra school authorities, the Food and Drug Administration, Mumbai schools, and parents are involved; FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe directed compliance efforts.
- What
- Schools are removing or restricting junk food and aerated drinks, introducing healthier menus, and advising parents about children’s tiffins.
- Where
- The changes are taking place in schools across Maharashtra, including schools in Mumbai and Thane.
- When
- The latest implementation drive follows an FDA warning and a state education department circular; Mundhe ordered compliance within a week. The underlying regulations were notified in 2020.
- Why
- The measures aim to enforce food-safety and balanced-diet regulations for children and limit High Fat, Sugar and Salt food around schools.
School-Based Regulation
Broader Retail Regulation
Where the rules should apply
School-Based Regulation
Education and food authorities are directing schools to change canteen menus, advise parents and report High Fat, Sugar and Salt food sellers within 50 metres.
Broader Retail Regulation
The India Wide Parents Association says regulation should also cover retailers and junk-food sellers outside school premises.
Responsibility for enforcement
School-Based Regulation
The order places reporting responsibility on principals, who must contact the FDA or, in rural areas, local gram panchayats and sarpanchs.
Broader Retail Regulation
Parents argue that schools and families should not be the only focus because vendors beyond school gates can still sell unhealthy food.
Key facts
- Foods removed or restricted
- Vada pav, samosa, other fried items, aerated drinks, packaged juices, cakes and sweets are being removed or discouraged at participating schools.
- Healthier replacements
- Schools are offering idli, dosa, poha, sheera, upma, chaas and fresh fruit.
- Restricted food zone
- Schools have been asked to prevent High Fat, Sugar and Salt food sales within 50 metres of their premises.
- Implementation deadline
- FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe directed that the order be implemented within a week.
- Mumbai awareness programme
- The Education Department and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation reached 900 school representatives and 50 midday meal suppliers.
- School authority limits
- Schools cannot remove outside sellers themselves; principals must report non-compliant food businesses to the FDA.
- Parent guidance
- Several schools are asking families to send freshly cooked food and avoid junk food, packaged juices and fried items.
Quotes
Fr Francis Swamy
Head of the Archdiocesan Board of Education schools in Mumbai
“We were already checking that oil was not used more than twice. But now we have absolutely banned deep‑fried items from the canteen menu.”
indianexpress.com
“We have asked canteens to replace them with dishes such as idli, dosa, poha, sheera and upma.”
indianexpress.com
Anubha Sahai
Representative of India Wide Parents Association
“The FDA’s ongoing drive has already shown parents what is unhealthy… there should be regulations for retailers and sellers of junk food.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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