The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed numeric limits for fat, sugar, and salt in school canteen foods.
This move aims to combat rising childhood obesity and promote healthier eating habits among students by effectively banning items that qualify as junk food.
Released in July 2026, the draft notification establishes specific thresholds for both solid and liquid foods. Under the proposal, solid foods will be classified as junk food if they contain more than 4.2g of added fat per 100g [1], more than three grams of added sugar per 100g [2], or more than 0.625g of added salt per 100g [3].
Liquid foods face similar restrictions to limit sugar and sodium intake. The FSSAI proposes that liquids be labeled as junk food if they exceed 1.5g of added fat per 100ml [4], two grams of added sugar per 100ml [5], or 0.175g of added salt per 100ml [6].
Implementation of these standards would apply to school canteens nationwide. Experts said the measures are a step toward preventive healthcare in regions like Karnataka [7].
By defining junk food through precise nutritional measurements, the FSSAI seeks to remove ambiguity from school food sales. The agency said these limits ensure that the food available to children during the school day aligns with public health goals.
“FSSAI has proposed numeric limits for fat, sugar, and salt in school canteen foods.”
This proposal represents a shift from general dietary guidelines to a regulatory framework based on hard numeric thresholds. By establishing a legal definition of 'junk food' based on fat, sugar, and salt content, the Indian government can enforce bans through food safety inspections rather than relying on school-level discretion. This approach targets the availability of processed foods at the point of sale to reduce long-term non-communicable disease risks in the youth population.
