Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has come out with a draft regulation for schools to ensure children have access to only healthy and wholesome food.
Key takeaways from the ‘Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and healthy diets for School Children) Regulations, 2019’:
1. A complete ban on the sale of potato wafers, soft drinks and junk food in school canteens and within 50 meters of the school campus.
2. Food high in fat, salt and sugar should not be allowed in the school canteen, mess premises, hostel kitchens and within 50 meters of school premises.
3. Schools should have a comprehensive programme for promoting safe food and healthy diet among children.
4. Schools should encourage a campaign on ‘Eat Right School’, focussing on safe and healthy food.
5. Schools should discourage food wastage as per the specified benchmark.
7. Nutritionists and dietitians may be engaged by school authorities to prepare menu for school children periodically.
8. School authority or the food business operators (FBOs) contracted for the operation of the mid-day meal scheme must obtain a registration or license and comply with the requirements of sanitary and hygienic practices.