Junk food ban: City doctors hail Delhi High Court directive

The Delhi high court on Wednesday asked the Centre to completely ban junk foods and carbonated beverages in schools and colleges. 

Health experts are happy with the court’s decision, stating that junk food is the leading cause of childhood obesity and diabetes. It also affects students’ concentration in class since junk food temporarily affects the functioning of brain cells and makes one lethargic.

The court was hearing a petition filed by a Delhi-based NGO for children’s welfare, Uday Foundation, to direct the government to develop a comprehensive school canteen policy that emphasises healthy nutrition among school children. The NGO’s petition had sought a ban on the sale of junk food and carbonated drinks in and within a 1, 500 feet radius of educational institutions.

Shilpa Joshi, a consultant dietician in Bandra, says, “Junk food has few enzyme-producing vitamins and minerals and contains excessive calories. It is responsible for obesity, dental cavities, Type 2 diabetes and heart diseases amongst children. The government should place such a ban in Mumbai as well.”

Some schools, such as Jamnabai Narsee School, Juhu, have already banned junk food in their premises. Yet, children often bring junk food like burgers and French fries in their tiffin boxes.

“If we give them chapati and sabzi, they bring it back untouched, claiming it’s not ‘cool’ to eat such food,” said Renuka Naik, a housewife from Matunga.