Jaipur, August 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Rajasthan High Court has prohibited the sale of junk food in school canteens and within a 50-metre radius of school gates across the state, citing concerns over children’s health, education and overall development.
A bench headed by Justice Anup Kumar Dhand on Monday expressed concern over the widespread availability of food high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) in and around schools, along with increasing screen time among children.
The court directed schools to strictly prohibit the sale of carbonated drinks, chips, bakery products containing trans fats and other junk food. District Magistrates and Block Education Officers have been instructed to conduct monthly inspections to ensure compliance.
The High Court noted that guidelines for providing safe and balanced food in schools were formulated in 2020, but their implementation remained inadequate even after more than six years. It directed every school to constitute a School Food Safety and Nutrition Committee within four weeks.
Schools must also display menu boards within eight weeks, listing calorie counts, ingredients and nutritional information for food items sold in canteens.
The court further directed authorities to ensure that midday meals and other nutritional schemes meet prescribed balanced-diet standards, with the objective of protecting children from obesity and lifestyle-related diseases.
Beyond nutrition, the court stressed the need to integrate technology and artificial intelligence into education without allowing them to replace fundamental learning practices. It highlighted the importance of handwriting, reading books, taking notes and written examinations in children’s education.
The court also directed authorities to fill vacant teaching posts in rural government schools and improve essential facilities, including smart classrooms, computers, internet connectivity, health check-ups, toilets, drinking water and sports infrastructure.
All District Collectors have been asked to conduct surprise inspections of rural schools and submit compliance reports to the High Court within eight weeks.
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