Question : BAN ON SALE OF JUNK FOOD

(a) whether several school canteens, which serve junk food and energy drinks to the students, do not have necessary trade licence or permission to operate;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) the action taken by the Government against such canteens;

(d) whether the Government proposes to conduct a fresh survey to identify canteens operating without licence and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the other steps taken by the Government to prohibit sale of junk foods in the schools which affect the health of the children?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c): The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) affiliates schools for the purpose of examination and provides academic support and therefore does not keep the record of the trade licenses or permission to operate the school Canteens. Further, School Education being in the Concurrent List it is the responsibility of the concerned State Government to provide good quality and safe food to the students in the school canteens. The CBSE has advised schools to ensure that school canteens provide healthy snacks and that junk food, carbonated and aerated beverages are replaced with healthy snacks, juices and dairy products.

(d) and (e): No such proposal is under consideration of Ministry. However, An Expert Group was constituted on 16.09.2013 by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi to assist the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) of FSSAI to develop guidelines for making available quality and safe food in schools. The Expert Group has recommended the restriction/limitation of the availability of most common HFSS (High in Fat, Salt and Sugar) Foods in schools and area within 50 meters.