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GR bans junk food but schools fail to follow norms

Schools under the state were asked to ensure that no High in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) food should be sold in school canteens through a GR issued on May 8.

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Nearly three months after the state government banned junk food in schools across the state, concerns have been raised about its implementation. Even as the new academic year began in the second week of June, several schools are yet to follow the menu prescribed by the government regulation (GR) in May.

Schools under the state were asked to ensure that no High in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) food should be sold in school canteens through a GR issued on May 8."The amount of sugar, salt and fat in HFSS foods, and the lack of nutrients is causing obesity, and other ailments amongst schoolgoing students, which is affecting their academic performance and overall wellbeing. To curb this, junk food items mentioned in the GR need to be banned from school canteens" stated the GR.

According to the resolution, school principals and managements are entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that any of the items that the state has asked them to ban are not sold in school canteens. However with no strict monitoring in this issue, several schools seem to have forgotten about the guidelines and still continue to serve junk food in their canteens. "Schools are openly selling fried food and packaged/aerated drinks in the canteen which is not permissible under the GR. There seems to be no monitoring of whether the norms have been followed" said Vanita Salvi, an Andheri-based parent.

Uday Nare, teacher at Hansraj Morarji Public school said that the state education department should ensure proper implementation of the GR. "If education inspectors visit school premises to inspect the canteen from time to time, it would help more schools following the norms"added Nare.

An official from the state education department said that surprise visits would be conducted at various schools in the next few days to ensure that the GR is implemented and a report would be submitted to the government.

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