Junk food could soon be treated as dangerous for school canteens and within a certain radius of educational institutions. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is preparing a negative list of products that are high on salt, sugar and fat to prevent their availability in school canteens. This effectively means pizzas, burgers and aerated drinks sweetened with sugar will go off the shelf. The reason behind this is the growing number of children who are obese and the increase in diabetics. The overall prevalence of diabetes in the country has gone up from 32 million in 2000 to 63 million in
2013. It is expected to touch the 101 million mark in the next 15 years. There is a growing body of evidence to show that junk food has a direct impact on the health of children, but curbing its consumption has proved to be difficult, if not impossible.
The question is will restriction in school canteens make a
difference because junk food will still be freely available
elsewhere?
