Madhya Pradesh Child Rights Panel Seeks 50-Metre Junk Food Ban Around Schools

The Madhya Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has urged a ban on the sale and advertisement of high-fat, high-salt, high-sugar and ultra-processed food items in schools, colleges, student hostels and within a 50-metre radius of educational institutions.

Commission chairperson Nivedita Sharma wrote to school education minister Rao Uday Pratap Singh highlighting children's changing eating habits as a serious concern. The panel noted that packaged and processed foods, sugary drinks, fried snacks and items high in salt and fat are increasingly becoming part of students' daily diets.

The Commission recommended establishing clear standards for healthy, nutritious food items in canteens and cafeterias, and formulating an inter-departmental action plan involving health, education, food safety and rural development departments. It emphasised that improving eating habits at school level can reduce risks of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and other lifestyle-related health issues.