The Maharashtra government has banned the sale, free distribution and advertisement of junk food and beverages high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) within a 50-metre radius of all schools across the state, in a move aimed at improving children’s nutrition and reducing easy access to unhealthy food.
The order, issued by the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), covers items such as chips, soft drinks, chocolates, ice creams, samosas and vada pav sold around school premises.
Announcing the decision, FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe publicly said that the measure seeks to protect children’s health and encourage healthier eating habits.
This moves comes at the juncture of the rising trends of ill-eating habits, unhealthy food consumption, and the ever-increasing cases of diseases witnessed among children and the youth alike. But its effectiveness will depend on strict enforcement, cooperation from schools, vendors and parents, and sustained awareness efforts.
Healthy Schools, Healthier Choices
In a significant step towards promoting healthier food environments for children, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration has prohibited the sale, free distribution and advertisement of foods and beverages classified as high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) within a 50-metre radius of every school in the state.
The guidelines apply to all government, aided and private schools affiliated with any educational board, encompassing nearly two crore students in around 1.08 lakh schools in the State.
The restriction applies to commonly consumed packaged and street foods, including chips, carbonated soft drinks, chocolates, ice creams, samosas and vada pav. The state government believes that limiting children’s access to these products during school hours could help encourage healthier eating habits from an early age.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe has stated that the objective of the order is to safeguard children’s health by reducing their exposure to unhealthy food choices around educational institutions.
To support the healthy eating habits and foster its growth, the directive of the FDA also makes it mandatory for school canteens, hostel kitchens, midday meal kitchens and food suppliers obtain food safety licenses and registrations. Thus, the move is not only about attaching a restriction, but also to create an environment at schools that support better nutrition rather than making calorie-dense and nutrient-poor foods the easiest option for students.
The directive comes amid growing concerns over the increasing consumption of processed foods among children and adolescents. Health experts have consistently warned that diets rich in fat, sugar and salt are associated with childhood obesity and a higher risk of developing lifestyle-related illnesses later in life.
Although the ban focuses only on the area immediately surrounding schools, it reflects a broader effort to prioritise preventive healthcare through environmental changes rather than relying solely on individual choices.
Junk Food And Health
The Maharashtra government’s decision aligns with longstanding recommendations from public health authorities that children should have limited exposure to unhealthy food options in and around schools. Educational institutions are widely regarded as spaces where healthy habits can be encouraged, making the surrounding food environment an important part of children’s overall well-being.
Research has repeatedly shown that children are more likely to purchase foods that are easily available and affordable during school hours. Restricting the sale and promotion of HFSS products near schools is therefore seen as one way of reducing impulse purchases and encouraging healthier alternatives.
However, experts also point out that regulations alone cannot transform eating habits. Parents, teachers, food vendors and local authorities all have a role to play in reinforcing healthier choices. Awareness campaigns, nutrition education and access to affordable, nutritious snacks are likely to be equally important if the policy is to achieve lasting results.
The success of the directive will ultimately depend on how effectively it is implemented and monitored across Maharashtra. Ensuring compliance among vendors and maintaining regular inspections will be key challenges for authorities in the months ahead.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Creating healthier spaces for children is a collective responsibility that extends beyond government regulations. Restricting junk food around schools is a public health measure that is worth welcoming, but meaningful and lasting change requires sustained awareness, practical nutrition education and accessible healthy alternatives.
This move by the Maharashtra Government also reflects broader national conversations around improving food environments for children. Public health advocates have long argued that limiting the availability and marketing of unhealthy foods near schools is an important preventive measure against rising rates of obesity and other non-communicable diseases.
However, the current directive applies specifically to a ban in the 50-metre radius around school premises and should be transcended to a general practice of rejecting junk food consumption. rather than just a mere legislation.
Policymakers, schools, parents and food vendors each have a role in shaping environments where healthy choices become the easiest choices for children.
As communities work together to improve children’s well-being, an important question remains: Do you think banning junk food near schools is enough, or should governments also invest more in making healthy food affordable and accessible for every child?
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