Hyderabad: With no strict law in force restricting or banning junk food sales near schools, children continue to access high-calorie snacks from nearby shops and sometimes in schools, raising concerns about childhood obesity and related health problems at a young age.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations in 2020. These regulations recommend that foods high in fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) not be sold in school canteens or within 50 metres of school gates. Schools are also encouraged to work with nutritionists, display warning boards against junk food, and conduct regular inspections.
As these rules are voluntary, schools and commercial establishments turn a blind eye to them.
A senior retired FSSAI official, requesting anonymity, stated, “The central government designed these guidelines to show what best practices would look like if followed.”
According to the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report by Unesco, only 60 per cent of countries have any laws and standards on food in schools. Out of 187 countries surveyed, just 93 have any legislation or compulsory guidance on school food and beverages.
“There are no restrictions on the sale of junk food, as Article 19(1)(c) of the Constitution grants individuals freedom to practice any profession or any business,” explained advocate Jatin Bansal.
Even though many schools don’t sell junk food inside, children still buy chips, chocolates, sugary drinks, and processed foods from nearby bakeries and shops. “Children are naturally attracted to foods with high sugar, preservatives, and artificial flavours, which harm their gut health and lead to obesity,” said Fabula Madhusudhan, the state president of Telangana Recognised School Managements Association (TRSMA).
Teachers and parents say that giving children pocket money without guidance increases the problem. “Even if teachers advise against it, parents often don’t educate their children about the ill-effects of junk food,” said Sheikh Shabbir Ali, the state president of Telangana Private Teachers Forum.
“Parents give money but don’t monitor what the child eats. This can cause long-term health problems,” said Kishore BVK, a parent.
“We give our children some cash for emergencies, but they might end up using it to buy junk food without our knowledge. The real challenge is how long we can control it,” said another parent, T. Sharanya.
Although full meals like rice and sambar are served in boarding facilities, some schools have stalls selling snacks like samosas, puffs, and chips. “We have a canteen inside the school where they sell chips, samosas and puffs. Some of my classmates buy them every week with their pocket money,” said Shazia Suhani, an eighth grade student.
Health experts warn that junk food consumption during school-going years, which is a crucial period for growth, can lead to poor nutrition, weak immunity, stunted growth, lower IQ, and behavioural issues.
“Even one unhealthy meal a day can cause a calorie overload without giving necessary nutrients, harming both health and school performance,” said Dr. Rajyalakshmi Devi Yenumula, chief dietitian and senior clinical nutritionist at KIMS.
She stressed that food literacy, such as reading labels, understanding portion sizes, and knowing healthy food choices, should be taught from as early as 6–7 years old through fun, hands-on activities like gardening and cooking classes.
Government schools, through the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, ensure children get nutritious food. Partnering with organisations like Akshaya Patra Foundation, schools serve meals like khichdi, paneer dishes, sambhar, and curd rice. “Though Akshaya Patra doesn’t serve eggs, they provide some other vegetarian options and plan the menu carefully to meet nutrition needs,” said a teacher from ZPHS Shivampet, Medak district.
However, it is identified that children in government schools also bring junk food from home or buy it after school. “We educate parents not to let their children eat junk food, but many still give in to their demands,” said a staff member at ZPHS Hayathnagar.
Experts and school associations stress that the solution lies in early and consistent nutrition education. The GEM report highlights that in most low- and middle-income countries, food education happens through projects or extracurricular activities, not as a part of the regular curriculum. Parents and teachers argue that adding nutrition education to the school syllabus and conducting weekly sessions for both parents and children would make a bigger difference.
“If nutrition education is added to the syllabus, it can help build awareness among children and parents,” said Venkat Sainath Kadapa, general secretary of Hyderabad School Parents Association.
