The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has prohibited the sale and distribution of junk food in and around schools across the state [1].
This move aims to protect students from highly processed foods and promote healthier eating habits among children [1]. By restricting access to unhealthy snacks at the point of sale, the government seeks to reduce the prevalence of poor nutrition in the youth population [2].
The new guidelines apply to a wide range of educational institutions, including CBSE, ICSE, and state board schools [4]. The restrictions specifically target items such as vada pav, samosas, and cold drinks [4].
According to government data, the new nutrition and food-safety norms cover nearly 1.08 lakh schools and approximately 2 crore students [5]. To ensure compliance, the state is also mandating that school canteens obtain FSSAI licenses [3].
The Maharashtra government said that strict action will be taken against vendors and institutions that violate these rules [2]. This crackdown extends beyond the school gates to the immediate surrounding areas where students typically purchase snacks during breaks or after classes [1].
While the current initiative expands the scope of the ban to the areas surrounding schools, previous reports indicate that efforts to remove junk food from inside school canteens have faced challenges in enforcement over the last decade [6]. The FDA is now leveraging stricter licensing and broader geographical restrictions to close these gaps [3].
“The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has prohibited the sale and distribution of junk food in and around schools.”
This policy represents a shift from internal school regulation to a broader environmental intervention. By targeting the 'food environment' surrounding schools, Maharashtra is acknowledging that bans within school walls are ineffective if students can easily purchase the same processed foods from vendors immediately outside the gates.
