Food Safety and Standard Authority of India Delhi has given an advisory to change the food menu of schools and colleges from Maharashtra State and have ordered Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to scrap fast foods from the menu of all the schools and colleges in a bid to promote healthy foods among students.
The step is taken to ensure regulation on non-standardized deep-fried foods such as Samosa, Chana bhatura, in school/college through their canteen policies and to promote healthy, wholesome and nutritious food items.
According to the guidelines given by FSSAI schools and colleges must provide Nutritious, Wholesome and Healthy Food based on the attached guidelines. Only Wholesome and Nutritious Food need to be promoted and the availability of HFSS food (like chips, fried foods, ready to eat noodles, pizzas, burgers, potato fries, sugar-sweetened carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, etc.) to be restricted in the school/college campus and nearby areas of 50 meters. The environment of Food Safety, Hygiene and sanitation conditions should be compiled at school/ college canteen locations and facilities.
Milind Deshpande assistant commissioner FDA informed us that under the supervision of Dr Pallavi Darade commissioner FDA of Maharashtra state we have started the drive and are collecting the data on canteen facilities which are available in various schools and colleges. Soon we will be consulting the authorities regarding the food available in their canteens.
After that, we would be suggesting the authorities to change their menu and include healthy foods for the students. A team of the student along with the Principal and parents will also be made to ensure the regulations which will be implemented by the FDA, along with this timely inspection will also be done.
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