No chips, no sugary drinks near schools: Maharashtra FDA imposes strict 50-metre ban

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration FDA has announced strict enforcement of school food safety regulations across the state banning the sale of processed and packaged foods and drinks high in fat sugar and salt within 50 metres of school compounds The move will bring nearly 108 lakh schools and around 2 crore students under tighter compliance norms aimed at ensuring safe and nutritious foodAddressing a press conference on Wednesday Maharashtra Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said the sale advertisement and free distribution of highfat salt and sugar HFSS food items are prohibited in and around all schools in the state as part of efforts to promote healthy eating habits among childrenldquoWithin school premises and up to 50 metres from the school compound the sale advertisement and free distribution of high fat salt and sugar HFSS food items is completely banned by the FDA It will be implemented strictlyrdquo Mundhe saidHe added that while the Food Safety and Standards Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School Regulations 2020 came into force in 2021 many schools and stakeholders remain unaware of their responsibilitiesldquoThere are nearly 108 lakh schools in Maharashtra with around 2 crore students The regulations on safe food and balanced nutrition for schoolchildren were notified in 2020 and implemented in 2021 However many institutions are still unaware of these provisionsrdquo Munde saidTo address this the FDA issued a statewide compliance order dated July 27 2026 which will now be implemented strictly across Maharashtra The order will apply to all government governmentaided and private schools affiliated with any education board with no institution exempt from the provisionsMandatory licences healthier food optionsldquoThis order will impact every family with schoolgoing children in the state Every student must receive safe wholesome and nutritious food irrespective of whether they study in a government private aided or unaided school or under the SSC HSC CBSE ICSE IB or any other education board All institutions must comply with food safety regulationsrdquo he addedUnder the order all school canteens tuck shops hostel kitchens midday meal providers and other food business operators supplying food to schools must possess mandatory registration and a valid FSSAI licence under food safety regulations Unlicensed operators will not be allowed to serve foodldquoNo organisation or institution can prepare or supply food to schools hostels or under the midday meal scheme without registration and a valid licence to operaterdquo Munde saidSpeaking to middaycom Munde stated that the crackdown will extend beyond school campusesldquoEven established restaurants sweet shops and other food outlets located within a 50metre radius of schools will come under scrutiny to ensure compliance with the regulationsrdquo he saidThe compliance order mandates schools to provide healthier food options such as fruits vegetables pulses whole grains milk and locally available nutritious food Institutions must also ensure safe drinking water hygienic food preparation and storage pest control and waste managementFrom food supervisors to annual checks How schools must implement new FDA safety normsThe norms will cover children from 22 months of age up to students studying in Class 12 School principals headmasters and local authorities will play a key role in implementing the restrictionsAdditionally every school must display food safety information appoint a Food Safety Supervisor and a Health and Wellness Ambassador conduct at least two food safety inspections annually and collect at least one food sample every yearSchools canteens vendors and suppliers violating the regulations may face improvement notices licence suspension or cancellation seizure of food products prosecution and other penal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006Calling the initiative a public health measure rather than merely a regulatory exercise Munde said ldquoEvery childrsquos fundamental right is to receive safe wholesome and balanced food Ensuring that every bite children eat is safe is a shared responsibility of the government schools parents and societyrdquo