Jammu and Kashmir Bans Junk Food Sales Near Schools
Published on 08/27/2026 at 23:27 | Editorial boerse-global.de
The Jammu and Kashmir Food and Drug Administration has ordered a strict ban on junk food sales within school premises and their immediate surroundings. The directive prohibits foods high in saturated fats, trans fats, sugar, and sodium from being sold inside schools or within a 50-metre radius of their gates — a move that signals tougher regulatory oversight for food business operators across the region.
What Schools Must Do Now
School authorities have been instructed to implement the Food Safety and Standards Regulations 2020. Under these rules, schools and associated food vendors must obtain proper registration or licensing as required by the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.
Educational institutions are also required to maintain specific hygiene standards, display food safety boards, and appoint a food safety supervisor alongside a health and wellness ambassador or team. Fixed meal times and free drinking water access for students are now mandatory. Regulatory bodies have planned regular inspections to verify compliance.
Supreme Court Pressure on Food Labelling
The regional crackdown coincides with significant legal developments at the national level. In late August, the Supreme Court of India gave the central government a two-week deadline to address the implementation of front-of-pack warning labels for packaged foods high in sugar, salt, and fats.
The bench emphasised that public health should not be compromised, linking food safety directly to the constitutional right to life and health. If the government fails to act on international food safety standards, further judicial orders may follow. The push for clearer labelling follows a public interest litigation filed by non-governmental organisations highlighting the risks of ultra-processed products.
The Scale of India's Obesity Challenge
Recent data presented in legal and administrative discussions highlights a growing health crisis. According to figures cited during the Supreme Court proceedings, obesity among school-aged children and adolescents rose from 2% in 2000 to 10% in 2022. The National Family Health Survey conducted between 2019 and 2021 found that approximately 24% of women and 23% of men are overweight or obese.
Economic data from 2025-26 suggests that consumption of ultra-processed foods increased by more than 150% between 2009 and 2023. In response, other regions have also tightened oversight.
In Maharashtra, the FDA Commissioner emphasised that food safety is a shared responsibility, noting that 3,100 food business operators were inspected in the months leading up to July 31. Those inspections resulted in 165 license suspensions and 750 improvement notices. Maharashtra authorities are also conducting monthly samples of mid-day meals in schools and central kitchens to ensure nutritional quality.
