Srinagar : The Food & Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu & Kashmir, has called for strict and effective implementation of the Food Safety and Standards “Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School” Regulations, 2020 in all government and private schools across Jammu & Kashmir.
The FDA has issued a communication to the Directors of School Education in Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the importance of adhering to regulations that ensure the provision of safe, hygienic, and nutritionally balanced food in educational institutions. Regulation 3(5) explicitly prohibits the sale of junk foods, defined as those high in saturated fat, trans-fat, added sugar, or sodium, within school premises. Additionally, Regulation 5(1) restricts the advertisement and sale of such food products within a 50-meter radius of school gates. Furthermore, Regulation 3(1) mandates that any food service on school campuses, whether by the School Authority or Food Business Operators, must be registered under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and comply with established sanitary practices. The regulations also emphasize the necessity of designated meal times to promote healthy eating habits and require the provision of free safe drinking water to all students. The School Authority, defined as the head of the institution and its governing body, is responsible for regular inspections of food premises to ensure compliance with these standards. The authority may also appoint a Health and Wellness Ambassador or establish a Health and Wellness Team to oversee the availability of safe food. The FDA has urged the School Education Department and relevant School Authorities to enforce these regulations rigorously in both government and private schools throughout Jammu and Kashmir.
