The Karnataka government has issued an advisory prohibiting the sale, distribution, advertisement, and promotion of foods high in fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS), commonly referred to as junk food, in schools and colleges and within a 50-metre radius of educational institutions. This move aims to create healthier food environments for students at a time when childhood obesity and lifestyle-related illnesses are on the rise.
The measure goes beyond regulating school canteens, extending restrictions to vendors operating immediately outside school gates. The government hopes to reduce children’s easy access to unhealthy foods during school hours. While similar provisions already exist under the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020, the advisory places renewed emphasis on implementation and enforcement.
The advisory comes amid growing concern over changing food habits among children and adolescents. Inspections at educational institutions found widespread availability of processed snacks, sugary beverages, and foods made using refined carbohydrates. Such foods are often energy-dense but nutritionally poor, containing excessive amounts of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats while providing limited vitamins, minerals, and fibre.
Experts have welcomed the advisory, describing it as a timely and much-needed public health intervention. Schools play a critical role in shaping lifelong eating habits, and restricting junk food near schools creates a healthier environment while sending a strong message to children and parents that nutrition is a priority.
The government has advised schools to promote balanced diets centred on fresh and locally available foods such as whole grains, millets, pulses, fruits, vegetables, milk, and other nutritious traditional foods. Freshly prepared snacks such as idli, upma, avalakki, sprouts, and boiled groundnuts are among healthier alternatives that nutritionists recommend.
Responsibility for implementation has been shared among schools, food business operators, and the Food Safety Department. School managements are expected to ensure compliance within their campuses, educate students about healthy eating, and display notices prohibiting HFSS foods. Food vendors near schools must comply with food safety regulations, while Food Safety Officers have been directed to conduct inspections and initiate action against violations under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Experts caution that restricting access to unhealthy food is only one part of improving children’s diets. Eating habits are influenced by families, affordability, food availability, advertising, school meals, and broader public policies. Long-term improvements require nutrition education, greater parental awareness, regular physical activity, and responsible food marketing.
Restricting HFSS foods near schools is seen as a great start, but lasting change will require schools, parents, vendors, health authorities, and communities to work together. Alongside restrictions, healthy, affordable, and appealing food should be made readily available, while children should be encouraged to remain physically active and reduce screen time.
