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Dal, roti to replace burgers and pizzas in schools

The Centre has asked state governments to ban sale of junk food and carbonated drinks on schools premises and withdraw all such items that lead to unhealthy eating from canteens.

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The Centre has asked state governments to ban sale of junk food and carbonated drinks on schools premises and withdraw all such items that lead to unhealthy eating from canteens.

The Union health and family welfare ministry (MoHFW) wants guidelines to be framed to serve good quality food like dal, roti and sprouts in schools and colleges instead of burgers and pizzas.

The ministry said this while responding to a PIL filed by an NGO in the Delhi High Court seeking ban on the sale of junk food and carbonated drinks within a 1,500 feet radius of schools.

The MoHFW said in an affidavit that it is against sale of junk food in educational institutions and the states have been advised to keep them out of reach of students as far as possible.

Though junk food is not defined under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, the ministry said that any food that has poor nutritional value is considered unhealthy. Any food item that has empty calories and is responsible for obesity, cavity, diabetes and heart diseases cannot be considered good for the consumption of children, the ministry said.

Studies have indicated a correlation between consumption of food with empty calories and chronic degenerative diseases as well as hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular problems and glucose intolerance, the ministry added.

The bench took note of the steps taken by the health ministry and asked the NGO to suggest what more can be done while the government said it has invited proposals from experienced agencies, organisations and institutions for framing guidelines for providing safe food in educational institutions.

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