Students move Delhi HC for ban on sale of junk food near schools

The Delhi High Court Wednesday sought the Centre's response on a plea by students of a private school seeking ban on sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around educational institutions.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice AK Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw sought the Centre's reply on students' plea and listed the matter for further hearing on January 4.

While the plea had been made by civil society Uday Foundation, the Father Angel School students today sought to be made party to the court proceeding on the plea for ban on sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around schools.

"Ban such evidently harmful foods and beverages from the canteen of the schools and from their immediate neighbourhoods," said the students' plea.

The bench also asked the Centre to file a status report after its counsel said it has asked all the states to take adequate measure in this regard and various states have sent their action-taken-report on the issue.

The plea also demanded a direction to the companies not to entice kids by giving out toys or other articles and to compulsorily print in bold letters the harmful ingredients of the junk food.

"The state is ignoring the fact that due to the harm done to the children's health, they will only end up with obesity and other lifestyle disease which will cost the nation heavily," the plea said.

Earlier, the All India Food Processors Association (AIFPA) had pleaded to the Delhi High Court to hear it as well before passing any final order on the public interest litigation for ban on the junk food and aerated drinks in and around schools.