FSSAI planning to ban junk food in schools
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FSSAI planning to ban junk food in schools, 10 point charter released for food supply to school kids.
FSSAI planning to ban junk food in schools
It is said an old saying ‘A healthy mind resides in a healthy body.’ So the FSSAI or Food Safety and Standards Authority of India have started the initiative Eat Right and Healthy Eating Habits in young kids. They have released a 10 point charter which prohibits sale and even promotion of unhealthy food items in schools and in the vicinity of the schools.
Why has so much emphasis been laid on kids eating habits? A sudden spurt of nutrition related diseases like Obesity, Type-2 Diabetes, and Cardiovascular Diseases etc. are afflicting children. They have started spreading their tentacles around young children and are gnawing and snuffing the life out of them. All these diseases are linked to poor eating habits among children.
Today we are living in a fast age where everything is fast and instant including our food. In our whirlwind lives we forget to pay attention to the deleterious effects which these fast foods may have on our lives in the long run. Our kids are suffering due to our paucity of time. These fast and convenient foods may be cheap and tasty but are the potential carriers of disease which can afflict both children and adults alike. Processed sugars and fats are a major part of a child’s diet today. A survey done on both small children and teenagers showed childhood obesity, Type-2 diabetes, cancer, low self-esteem, peer rejection and psychological problems.
The vital points of the 10 point charter are-
Schools serving Mid-day meals would be required to obtain a licence that complies with the hygiene and sanitation requirements of FSSAI
A blanket ban would be imposed on selling foods high in fat, salt and sugar
A comprehensive program to encourage healthy eating habits and safe food among school children
Schools must promote a balanced diet among students
Schools have to check the food supplied in canteen follow the hygiene standards
HFSS foods are barred from advertising these products to school children in the school
Schools are supposed to engage dieticians periodically to help prepare a proper menu for school children
A strict ban on marketing of foods low in nutrition in school
Regular inspection of school premises to ensure hygienic food being served to students
A sub-committee would be constituted to monitor the implementation of the above
A wonderful initiative but how do we enforce this, only school or parents do not have the responsibility to inculcate healthy eating habits. It has to be a combined effort to help our children to become healthy.
The vital points of the 10 point charter are-
Schools serving Mid-day meals would be required to obtain a licence that complies with the hygiene and sanitation requirements of FSSAI
A blanket ban would be imposed on selling foods high in fat, salt and sugar
A comprehensive program to encourage healthy eating habits and safe food among school children
Schools must promote a balanced diet among students
Schools have to check the food supplied in canteen follow the hygiene standards
HFSS foods are barred from advertising these products to school children in the school
Schools are supposed to engage dieticians periodically to help prepare a proper menu for school children
A strict ban on marketing of foods low in nutrition in school
Regular inspection of school premises to ensure hygienic food being served to students
A sub-committee would be constituted to monitor the implementation of the above
A wonderful initiative but how do we enforce this, only school or parents do not have the responsibility to inculcate healthy eating habits. It has to be a combined effort to help our children to become healthy.