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SRINAGAR, Aug 27: The Food and Drugs Administration, Jammu and Kashmir, has asked the School Education Department to ensure strict implementation of food safety regulations in all government and private schools across the Union Territory.
In a communication to the Directors of School Education, the FDA highlighted the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020, aimed at ensuring that schoolchildren have access to safe, hygienic and nutritionally balanced food.
Under the regulations, schools must prevent the sale or distribution of food products high in saturated fat, trans-fat, added sugar or sodium within school premises.
Such products are also prohibited from being advertised, sold or offered to schoolchildren within 50 metres of the school gate.
The FDA said schools where meals or other food are prepared or sold must ensure that the concerned Food Business Operators are registered or licensed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
They must also follow prescribed sanitary and hygienic requirements, including provisions relating to Food Safety Display Boards and Food Safety Supervisors.
The regulations further require schools to designate meal times to promote healthy eating habits among children and provide safe drinking water free of cost to all students.
School authorities, including principals, headmasters and governing bodies or other entities responsible for school administration, are also required to maintain a system of regular inspection of food premises to ensure that hygienic, safe and balanced food is served.
The regulations provide for the appointment of a Health and Wellness Ambassador or constitution of a Health and Wellness Team to monitor the availability of safe and nutritious food in schools.
The FDA has accordingly called upon the School Education Department and school authorities to ensure effective compliance with the regulations across Jammu and Kashmir.
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