No ban on junk foods in Indian schools, but there will be new standards

By Ankush Chibber, 12-Jan-2012

The Indian government won’t ban taken a decision on the issue of junk foods being sold in and around schools and it is not all that pretty for food manufacturers in the country.

The Indian government in a written response to the Delhi High Court said that while it cannot and would not ban junk food in and around schools, it but will would however prescribe strict health standards for ingredients in such foods.

The note was government position came in a response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a Delhi-based non-governmental organiszation, Uday Foundation, in 2010 where it asked for the sale of , that sought to ban junk food and aerated drinks in schools as well as within a 500-metre radius to be outlawed.of them.

The court, in a preliminary hearing had recommended to the central Government that it ban the sale of these foods in school, but did not make any recommendation on their sale within a 500m radius of schools.

In the response, the Ministry of Health informed the government that it will soon come out with standards for trans-fatty acids in food items sold off the shelf and implement these standards after consultations.   .....read more