Ban on junk food

 

FSSAI bans sale of unhealthy food to schoolchildren

The latest rule by FSSAI banning the sale and advertising of high fat, salt or sugar food or drink .
It has mentioned that Ads that directly or indirectly promote an HFSS product should not appear in children’s media. It has further said that Ads for HFSS products cannot appear in media where 25% of population are children . There will no longer be any ads promoting food and drinks high in fat, sugar and salt on social media and gaming channels that are aimed at children.

It has banned the sale of pre - packaged food and drinking items containing a huge amount of fat, sugar and salt in school canteens/ mess premises/ hostel kitchens or within 50 metres of the school campus”, according to new guidelines.  Foods such as pizza ,burger ,French fries and drinks like coca cola and Pepsi advertisements should not reach to children's . Keeping in mind the health of the children's it has also mentioned that food business operators contracted by the department of education to function the Mid-Day Meal scheme must obtain a registration or licence from the apex food regulating agency and comply with the requirements of hygienic practices as specified under schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards Act. It also prescribes regular inspection of premises to ensure that safe, healthy and hygienic food is served to students

As people are appreciating such a step, on the other hand the ban on advertisement of products with high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) aimed at children could affect companies making chips, burgers, pizzas and other junk food. Even the traders are worried with this restriction as small businesses and the small shops vendors stocked all kind of FMCG items to meet the needs of neighbourhood consumers which will increase the harassment and the income will also be affected.


Above all this , the government is encouraging a healthy diet for children as
healthy food make children feel better, grow better and learn better and right eating habits should be engrained in the children from a young age.