SRINAGAR, Aug 27: The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu and Kashmir, has directed government and private schools across the Union Territory to strictly implement the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020.
In a communication to the Directors of School Education, Jammu and Kashmir, the FDA stressed the need for compliance with the regulations aimed at ensuring safe, hygienic and nutritionally balanced food for schoolchildren.
According to the communication, school authorities are required to ensure that no food products high in saturated fat, trans-fat, added sugar or sodium, commonly referred to as junk food, are sold or distributed within school premises. The regulations also prohibit the sale, marketing or advertisement of such food items within a 50-metre radius of school gates.
The FDA said that where schools provide meals directly or through Food Business Operators (FBOs), the concerned operators must be registered or licensed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and comply with prescribed sanitary and hygiene standards. Schools must also ensure compliance with requirements related to Food Safety Display Boards and Food Safety Supervisors.
The regulations further mandate designated meal times in schools to encourage healthy eating habits and require that safe drinking water be made available free of cost to all students.
School authorities, including principals, headmasters and governing bodies responsible for the management of institutions, have been directed to establish a system of regular inspections to ensure that safe and hygienic food is served to students. The regulations also provide for the appointment of a Health and Wellness Ambassador or the constitution of a Health and Wellness Team to monitor food safety within schools.
The FDA has called upon the School Education Department and all school authorities to ensure strict adherence to the provisions of the regulations across Jammu and Kashmir.
