A committee constituted by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to look into the issue growing problems of obesity in children has come down heavily on the availability of junk foods in and around schools.
The panel has, in its report, recommended that junk food in school canteens and even in the vicinity of an institution must be banned.
While the panel has raised concerns about increasing incidents of health problems such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension, it has also pointed that consumption of junk food by children causes psychological and behavioural dysfunctions like body dissatisfaction and low self esteem.
According to the report, vendors should not be permitted to sell junk foods during school timings in a vicinity of 200 meters from any school. They further suggested that shops and restaurants selling food within 200 meters of a school should not be permitted to sell these foods to children in school uniforms.
However, keeping into consideration the likings of children, the committee has suggested a list of desirable food items to be offered in school canteens.
A government release said that the Committee “comprehensively reviewed the prevalent practices of regulation of junk food in 23 countries across the world and has also examined the legislative/institutional framework available in India”.
"Recommendations have also been made for labelling of pre-packaged food stating clearly as 'unfit for infant/children/pregnant and lactating mothers or persons with specific ailments'," said the release.
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