Maharashtra government offices and canteens will now have to prioritise healthier food options, with oily and highly processed snacks such as batata vada, pakodas, cutlets and biscuits set to be reduced from official menus.
The Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has approved a new policy aimed at promoting nutritious eating habits among government and semi-government employees.
Under the policy, healthier snacks and balanced meals will be served during government meetings, conferences, training programmes, official events and at office canteens. Departments have been directed to take steps to increase the availability of nutritious food while gradually reducing oily and heavily processed items.
The recommended menu includes a mix of fruits, pulses, vegetables, whole grains and traditional local foods.
Preferred snack and meal options include:
For beverages, the government has recommended options such as coconut water, buttermilk, solkadhi, sugar-free milk, green or herbal tea and low-sugar lemon water.
Hot milk may also be provided on request.
The new policy does not completely eliminate traditional snacks but calls for a reduction in the proportion of oily and highly processed foods served at government establishments.
Local and traditional foods that offer better nutritional value will instead be encouraged.
Officials said the move is intended to make healthy eating a more regular part of the working lives of government employees and potentially encourage a broader change in food habits across society.
Public Health Department Principal Secretary Nipun Vinayak said the policy is intended to encourage the government machinery to adopt a more nutritious and wholesome diet, potentially triggering a wider cultural shift.
Health officials have also pointed to the growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases as a key reason behind the initiative.
The healthy food requirements will also be incorporated into new catering contracts awarded by government and semi-government offices.
Before introducing the policy, institutions have been asked to discuss health-related concerns and dietary practices with their employees. They will also have to conduct awareness programmes focusing on healthy lifestyles and nutritious diets.
The government has suggested that dietary guidelines issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) be referred to while preparing menus.
Parts of the initiative have already been introduced at the Mantralaya canteen.
Healthier options including fruits, boiled eggs, boiled pulses, poha, idli-sambar, hot milk and green tea have been added. The canteen has also increased the availability of dal, usal, leafy vegetables, buttermilk, salads and pulao.
According to officials, the changes have helped reduce the proportion of oily snacks available at the canteen.
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