Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Maharashtra Mandates Healthy Menus At Government Canteens And Events
Maharashtra wants food served at government workplaces and events to be healthier.
The rule applies to government canteens, meetings, conferences, training sessions and official programmes.
Suggested foods include fruit, sprouts, millet khichdi, bhakri, poha and boiled eggs.
Suggested drinks include buttermilk, coconut water, solkadhi and unsweetened tea.
Meals should include vegetables, dal, salads and other balanced foods.
Food should contain less salt, sugar and oil.
The government also wants offices to slowly reduce ultra-processed foods.
Officials say the plan could help reduce health risks linked to diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Maharashtra has mandated healthy food and beverages at government canteens, meetings, events and training programmes.
Suggested choices include millet khichdi, sprouts, seasonal fruit, bhakri, poha, idli-sambar, boiled eggs and nuts.
Recommended drinks include coconut water, buttermilk, solkadhi, unsweetened milk and unsweetened green or herbal tea.
Menus should be low in salt, sugar and oil, while ultra-processed foods and unhealthy fats are gradually reduced.
New catering contracts must include healthy-menu and nutrition-labeling provisions, with inspections, audits and appointed nodal officers.
- Who
- The Maharashtra Public Health Department and state government; one report says the decision was taken by the Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
- What
- A Government Resolution mandates the availability of healthy menus at specified Maharashtra government and semi-government offices, canteens, meetings, events and programmes.
- When
- The order was reported on Wednesday, September 2; the articles do not specify the year.
- Where
- Across Maharashtra government departments, offices, local bodies, training institutions, aided autonomous bodies and government canteens.
- Why
- To promote healthier diets and awareness while reducing risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases.
- Issuing authority
- Maharashtra Public Health Department, through a Government Resolution
- Covered institutions
- Government departments, directorates, commissioners’ offices, district collectorates, Zilla Parishads, municipal corporations, municipalities, government training institutions, government-aided autonomous bodies and government canteens
- Refreshment options
- Seasonal fruits, roasted or boiled chickpeas and peanuts, sprouts, vegetable poha, idli-sambar, vegetable upma, millet khichdi, boiled eggs, nuts and seeds
- Suggested beverages
- Coconut water, buttermilk, solkadhi, unsweetened milk, lemon water with limited sugar or jaggery, and unsweetened green or herbal tea
- Full-day meal options
- Jowar, bajra or ragi bhakri, multigrain chapati, brown or hand-pounded rice, dal or usal, vegetables, salads, curd or buttermilk, fruit, paneer, sprouts-based curry and properly cooked meat or fish
- Food standards
- Menus should follow Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India guidance, emphasizing low salt, sugar and oil
- Oversight
- Menu inspection committees, appointed nodal officers and periodic canteen audits coordinated with the Food and Drug Administration are planned
