|
New Delhi: The
central government Monday admitted before the Delhi High Court
that junk food causes health hazards, including heart problem, and
said guidelines would be framed to serve good quality food in
schools and colleges.
The government said it has invited proposals from experienced
agencies, organisation and institutions for framing guidelines for
providing safe food in educational institutions.
Filing an affidavit before the division bench of Chief Justice
Dipak Misra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the health ministry claimed
that it has written to all states and union territories to
consider issuing instructions for withdrawing carbonated beverages
and junk food from school and college canteens.
The court was hearing a plea for a ban on the sale of junk food
and carbonated drinks near the educational institutions.
"The centre in actively engaged in dealing with the health risks
that the consumption of junk food may pose to the general health
of the population and more particularly the children of the
country," said the affidavit.
"Chief ministers and the health ministers of all the states to
consider issuing instructions to vice-chancellors of all
universities for withdraw of junk food and carbonated drinks from
the canteens of educational institutions," it said.
According to the ministry, various studies have shown that junk
food is high in fat, sodium and sugar.
"Junk food lacks micro-nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino
acids and fibre but is high in energy. Junk food is responsible
for obesity, dental cavities, diabetes and heart diseases," said
the ministry.
"The Foods Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is in
the process of issuing guidelines for quality food in school
canteens after the completion of a project and the approval of the
guidelines by a scientific panel," said the affidavit.
The court is hearing a petition filed by an NGO seeking a ban on
the sale of junk food and carbonated drinks within a 1,500 feet
radius of schools.
It sought the view of the health ministry April 19.
The court asked the central government about the steps taken to
create awareness among the young generation about the "harmful
effects of increased consumption of junk food".
"The term 'junk food' is not defined under the Prevention of Food
Adulteration Act 1954. But it is understood that any food that has
poor nutritional value and is considered unhealthy may be called
junk food," said the FSSAI.
Petitioners Rahul Verma and Rakesh Prabhakar of NGO Uday
Foundation told the court: "It is...time we change the way kids
eat in schools. Such a ban will set new standards for healthy
food. On one hand, children are taught in classroom about good
nutrition..., on the other, we continue to make junk food
available to them."
The court allowed the petitioner NGO to respond to the
government's reply by Sep 7.
|
Comments
|
Quick links