Srinagar, August 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Jammu and Kashmir Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has directed that junk food should not be sold within 50 metres of school gates across the Union Territory, officials said on Thursday.
The directive has been issued to the School Education Department for strict implementation of food safety regulations in both government and private schools. The restrictions prohibit the sale of junk food not only within school premises but also within 50 metres of school gates in any direction.
In its communication to the Directors of School Education, the FDA directed effective implementation of the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020, aimed at ensuring that children have access to safe, hygienic and nutritionally balanced food.
Under the regulations, food products containing high levels of saturated fat, trans-fat, added sugar or sodium cannot be sold or offered within school premises. Their sale, marketing or advertising to schoolchildren is also prohibited within the 50-metre zone around school gates.
The FDA has further directed that school authorities and food business operators providing food services on school campuses must obtain registration or licences under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. They must also comply with prescribed sanitary and hygiene requirements.
Where applicable, food facilities operating in schools must maintain Food Safety Display Boards and have Food Safety Supervisors.
The regulations also require schools to designate meal times to encourage healthy eating habits and provide free, safe drinking water to all students.
Principals, headmasters and institutions’ management bodies have been assigned responsibility for regularly inspecting food premises and monitoring the quality, safety and hygiene of food served to students.
Schools may also appoint a Health and Wellness Ambassador or constitute a Health and Wellness team to serve as a nodal mechanism for monitoring the availability of safe, balanced and hygienic food.
The FDA has called upon the School Education Department and all school authorities in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure strict compliance with the food safety regulations.
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