Maharashtra FDA orders schools to bar sale of chocolates, chips and sugary drinks

Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration, led by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, has instructed every school in the state to stop selling high-fat, sugar and salt foods, including chocolates, chips and soft drinks, on campus and within 50 metres.

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration, under Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, issued an order demanding that every pre-primary to secondary school, including residential campuses, prohibit the sale, display or advertisement of foods high in saturated fat, trans-fat, added sugar or sodium. Citing Section 30(1) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, the order enforces the Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School Regulations introduced in 2020.

Schools must now prioritize menus rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, pulses and dairy, and align with dietary guidelines from the ICMR-NIN. The directive covers all food vendors, canteens, mid-day meal services and tuck shops within 50 metres of school premises, with penalties ranging to life imprisonment for serious breaches and possible loss of affiliation for non-compliant institutions. Mandatory measures include appointing a nodal officer, posting warning boards, displaying licences and removing HFSS advertising from digital displays. The move follows a statewide effort to curb unsafe food practices and promote healthier eating habits among children.