Jammu: The Directorate of School Education, Jammu (DSEJ) has directed all Government and Private Recognised Schools, coaching centres/institutes and other educational institutions to prohibit the sale, consumption and promotion of junk food and high-fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) food products on their premises.
The directions were issued through a circular with the objective of safeguarding the health, nutrition and well-being of children and promoting healthy dietary practices.
As per the circular, schools and educational institutions shall not sell, serve, distribute or permit the consumption of prohibited HFSS/junk food on their premises. The list includes carbonated and sugar-sweetened beverages, chocolates and confectionery, instant/packaged noodles, pizza, burgers and similar fast-food preparations, chips and packaged fried snacks, packaged salted/sugary snacks and deep-fried foods of low nutritional value, besides other food products identified as HFSS or otherwise restricted under applicable provisions.
The Directorate has also prohibited vendors, food business operators, shopkeepers, contractors and other commercial establishments from selling or offering such prohibited food products to school children within 50 metres of the school gate, in any direction.
Schools and coaching centres have further been directed to prevent advertisements, publicity, branding, sponsorships and promotional material relating to HFSS and junk-food products. Posters, banners, displays, product logos and other promotional material found on institutional premises are to be removed immediately.
The circular also calls for schools to promote safe, nutritious and balanced diets by encouraging the availability and consumption of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, pulses, milk and dairy products, nutritious millets and other healthy foods. Safe drinking water is to be promoted as an alternative to unhealthy and sugar-sweetened beverages.
Educational institutions have been asked to organise awareness and sensitisation programmes involving students, parents, teachers, food vendors and other stakeholders regarding healthy dietary practices and the harmful effects of excessive consumption of HFSS/junk food.
For enforcement, every school, coaching centre and educational institution has been directed to designate a responsible person for monitoring compliance. Canteens, tuck shops and food outlets are to be regularly inspected to ensure that prohibited food items are neither stored nor sold.
The circular places responsibility on Cluster Heads, Zonal Education Officers and heads of educational institutions for strict implementation. Chief Education Officers have been directed to supervise implementation in their respective districts and submit periodic compliance reports to the Directorate.
The directions have been issued with reference to the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020, aimed at creating a healthier food environment for children.
