Maneka Gandhi seeks ban on junk food in schools

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi, an avid animal rights activist, has written to her Cabinet colleagues HRD minister Smriti Irani and health minister J P Nadda seeking a ban on junk food in school canteens and incorporating new food guidelines that define junk food and categorize it on its nutritious value.

This comes after a government panel recommendation on junk food that is high in fat, sugar and salt.

Maneka in her letter has pointed out about over-nutrition and obesity as one of the main public health problems in school going children aged between 6 to 18 years.

“The major contributor of non-healthy food choices in the younger generation is the easy availability of junk food, which essentially is calorie dense high fat fast food,” she writes.

The Delhi High Court has also been studying into the regulation of sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around school premises in the country.