Keralam urges FSSAI to finalise junk food rules to curb sales near schools
The state wants statutory limits on fat, sugar and salt notified so it can legally restrict sales around classrooms.
Keralam is asking the central food safety regulator to formally notify rules identifying high fat, sugar, and salt foods so the state can legally bar their sale on and around school campuses.
Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said in Thiruvananthapuram that while the state intends to strengthen measures against unhealthy eating habits among schoolchildren, local authorities cannot enforce a ban without a legally binding national definition of what constitutes junk food.
At present, the term "junk food" carries no precise statutory definition in India. That legal vacuum has prevented state administrations from drawing up actionable lists of prohibited products or enforcing sales bans near educational institutions without facing regulatory hurdles.
What the draft regulations propose
The central regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), published draft regulations on 7 August establishing specific nutritional thresholds for solid and liquid products. Under the draft framework, any item exceeding these defined limits is categorised as high fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS).
| Food type | Fat limit | Sugar limit | Salt limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid food (per 100 g) | 4.2 g | 3.0 g | 0.625 g |
| Liquid food (per 100 ml) | 1.5 g | 2.0 g | 0.175 g |
Muraleedharan said the state would formally petition the FSSAI to move the draft into statutory rules without delay. Once the central authority incorporates the guidelines into official law, state governments will hold firm legal backing to regulate retail around school gates.
Rollout of national nutritional programmes
Alongside the push for central statutory clarity, educational and institutional campuses are accelerating national food quality initiatives designed to instill balanced diets early in life.
The central Eat Right School initiative, which promotes hygienic preparation and nutritional balance across hostel and school canteens, is already operating in 169 campuses across Keralam, including state-run Model Residential Schools. Another nationwide initiative run by the FSSAI, Safe and Nutritious Food at School (SNF@School), has been deployed across 2,500 schools to build structured awareness around wholesome food choices among children.
The nutritional drive extends beyond primary education. Under the Eat Right Campus certification programme, 456 public establishments—including university canteens, collegiate dining halls, government offices, and hospitals—have secured formal compliance certification for safe and balanced dining. Food safety officials continue regular inspections to ensure commercial vendors comply with established hygiene benchmarks.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Solid food fat threshold | 4.2 g per 100 g | FSSAI draft regulation |
| Solid food sugar threshold | 3.0 g per 100 g | FSSAI draft regulation |
| Solid food salt threshold | 0.625 g per 100 g | FSSAI draft regulation |
| Liquid food fat threshold | 1.5 g per 100 ml | FSSAI draft regulation |
| Liquid food sugar threshold | 2.0 g per 100 ml | FSSAI draft regulation |
| Liquid food salt threshold | 0.175 g per 100 ml | FSSAI draft regulation |
| Eat Right schools in Keralam | 169 | Keralam Health Department |
| SNF@School coverage in Keralam | 2,500 schools | Keralam Health Department |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Food Safety and Standards Authority of India | Central regulator formulating the national standards for high fat, sugar, and salt foods. |
| K. Muraleedharan | Keralam Health Minister seeking expedited finalisation of central food safety rules. |
| Keralam | State pushing for legal clarity to regulate school food sales. |
