The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale and advertising of junk food within 50 metres of schools [1].
This initiative targets the consumption of high-fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) foods to improve the nutritional intake of students across the state. By restricting access to processed snacks, officials aim to establish a healthier food culture for the youth.
Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe is leading the crackdown, which affects approximately 1.08 lakh schools [2]. The regulations prohibit the sale, distribution, and advertising of HFSS items within the designated 50-metre radius of school boundaries [1].
Inside school premises, the ban extends to specific popular items. Prohibited foods include vada pav, samosas, cold drinks, chocolates, and birthday cakes [3]. The FDA is also targeting school celebrations, noting that schools may face action if these items are provided during events [3].
To ensure food safety standards, the FDA now requires all school canteens to obtain licenses from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) [4]. This licensing process is intended to regulate the quality of food served on campus and ensure compliance with health guidelines [4].
The scale of the operation is significant, as it impacts approximately 2 crore students [2]. The FDA said the goal is to ensure safe, nutritious food for every child in Maharashtra [4].
Under the new rules, food outlets operating near school gates must remove advertisements for junk foods and cease selling prohibited items to students [1]. The FDA will monitor compliance across the state's educational districts to ensure the 50-metre buffer is maintained [1].
“The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale and advertising of junk food within 50 metres of schools.”
This policy represents a shift toward aggressive state intervention in childhood nutrition by regulating not just school-provided meals, but the commercial environment surrounding schools. By mandating FSSAI licenses for canteens and creating a physical buffer zone for HFSS foods, Maharashtra is attempting to decouple the school experience from the accessibility of ultra-processed foods.
