Junk food is expelled from the school and its vicinity in India. This measure is considered essential, by the National Food Safety Agency, in order to protect the health of children and minors with respect to the risks of obesity and related diseases. (1)
India, junk food gets kicked out of school
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has published a draft regulation aimed at expelling HFSS(High in Fat, Sugar and Salt) foods from schools and their vicinity, within 50 meters. French fries, sugary drinks, snacks, and other ultra-processed foods with unacceptable nutritional profiles.
Schools must become the place to educate about proper nutrition, according to the FSSAI. Which also provides guidance on proper nutrition of children in school cafeterias, according to the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) guidelines.
Choose healthy and safe, local and seasonal food, avoiding waste. These are the mantras imparted at school cafeterias, where nutritionists step in to help prepare menus and verify the implementation of regulations.
India, guideline for school canteens.
A guideline aimed at school canteens is attached to the FSSAI regulation outline. Clear and simple prescriptions to mitigate the risks associated with theglobal obesity epidemic:
– Maintain stable schedules, for school meals, to educate children about the ‘right time of food’,
– Provide safe and free drinking water to all students,
– include a variety of foods in the weekly menus to provide students with a combination of proteins and grains, but also the necessary micronutrients,
– Combine the intake of whole grains and foods of animal origin, such as milk and eggs. With respect for seasonality, freshness and local sourcing,
– Limit consumption of desserts, packaged foods, baked goods and pre-packaged drinks,
– Contain daily fat intakes within 25g per capita by avoiding cooking them,
– Weight the diet to provide 100-150 kcal in each snack and 300-500 kcal in each meal. With a daily intake of 18-20g of protein and micronutrients from fruits, vegetables or fortified foods,
– a more nutritious menu, even with added nutritional supplements, can be provided to athletes and students engaged in sports activities.
India’s childhood obesity crisis.
A scientific study on the childhood obesity pandemic, published in 2017 in the New England Journal of Medicine, had listed India as the second most prevalent country in the world (14.4 million cases), after China (15.3 million). Out of a total of 108 million obese children then estimated worldwide. (2)
The measures taken by India’s food safety agency-although, on the surface, almost ‘radical’-are indeed milder than the pediatric society’s indications. The ‘Indian Academy of Pediatrics‘ had in turn published its own nutritional recommendations a few months earlier in which it called for a ban on the sale of JUNCS foods(junk food, ultra-processed food, nutritionally inappropriate foods, caffeinated/colored/carbonated beverages, sugar-sweetened beverages) in school cafeterias and within 200 meters of schools.
The Indian pediatricians’ recommendations included a total ban on all forms of advertising and marketing of JUNCS products, among other things. Also on the web and social media. As well as the adoption of fiscal strategies to promote the consumption of healthy foods and limit the availability and consumption of junk food.
The outline of the FSSAI regulations was published on Oct. 30, 2019, with an opportunity for interested social partners to submit comments within the next 30 days.
Marta Strinati and Dario Dongo
Notes
(1) https://www.fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Draft_Notification_School_Children_04_11_2019.pdf
(2) The GBD 2015 Obesity Collaborators. (2017). Health Effects of Overweight and Obesity in 195 Countries over 25 Years. N Engl J Med 2017;377:13-27. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1614362
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
