Srinagar, Aug 27 (JKNS): The Food & Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu & Kashmir, has directed the School Education Department to ensure strict implementation of food safety regulations aimed at protecting schoolchildren from unsafe and nutritionally harmful food.
In a communication addressed to the Director School Education, Jammu and Kashmir, as per news agency JKNS, the FDA emphasised compliance with the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020, which seek to ensure the availability of safe, hygienic and nutritionally balanced food in and around educational institutions.
As per Regulation 3(5), the School Authority shall ensure that no person sells, offers for sale, including free sale, or permits the sale of food products high in saturated fat, trans-fat, added sugar or sodium, categorised as junk food, within the school premises or campus.
Further, Regulation 5(1) provides that no person shall advertise, market, sell, offer for sale, including free sale, or permit the sale of such food products within the school campus or to schoolchildren in an area extending 50 metres from the school gate in any direction.
Under Regulation 3(1), where the School Authority itself sells or caters school meals on the school campus, or where Food Business Operators (FBOs) provide food services, the concerned FBOs must be registered or licensed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Such food businesses are also required to comply with the prescribed sanitary and hygienic practices under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, besides meeting requirements relating to the Food Safety Display Board and Food Safety Supervisor(s).
The regulations also mandate designated meal times in schools to promote healthy eating habits among children. Schools are required to ensure that safe drinking water is provided free of cost to all students.
The regulations define the School Authority as the Head of the Institution, including the Principal or Headmaster, along with the governing body, trust or any other entity responsible for the management and administration of the school.
The School Authority is also required to have a system of regular inspection of food premises to ensure that safe, balanced and hygienic food is served to students.
The regulations further provide for the appointment of a Health and Wellness Ambassador or constitution of a Health and Wellness Team, which can function as a nodal mechanism for monitoring the availability of safe, balanced and hygienic food within schools.
The FDA has accordingly called upon the School Education Department and concerned School Authorities to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the regulations across all Government and private schools in Jammu & Kashmir. (JKNS)
