In a major move to improve children's nutrition and food safety, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has directed all schools across the state, inlcuding Mumbai, to eliminate the sale and availability of unhealthy foods such as chocolates, chips, soft drinks, and other junk food items on school campuses.
The directive, issued by Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, also prohibits the sale, advertisement, and free distribution of foods high in fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) within a 50-metre radius of all schools.
The order applies to government, aided, private, residential, and hostel-based schools, covering students from pre-primary to Class 12, irrespective of the education board, including State Board, CBSE, ICSE, and others.
The order has been issued under Section 30(1) of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, to enforce the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India's (FSSAI) Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School Regulations, 2020, which came into force in July 2021.
Schools have been instructed to ensure that canteens, tuck shops, hostel kitchens, and mid-day meal providers serve only nutritious food prepared in accordance with dietary guidelines issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN). Menus should include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, pulses, and dairy products while maintaining balanced nutrition and adequate hydration for students.
The FDA has clarified that a detailed list of prohibited food items is available on its official website. However, Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe highlighted several commonly consumed products that will no longer be permitted in or around schools.
The banned categories include:
Responding to questions from the media, Mundhe said even foods prepared using ajinomoto (MSG), including certain Chinese-style dishes, should not be sold within or around school premises. He emphasized that the objective of the initiative is to encourage healthier eating habits among children.
The new rules make compliance mandatory for all food business operators associated with schools. Every school canteen, hostel kitchen, and meal supplier must possess a valid Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) licence or registration.
Schools have also been instructed to establish a Food Safety Board and appoint a designated supervisor responsible for regularly monitoring food quality and ensuring compliance with safety standards.
In addition, local shopkeepers, food stalls, and street vendors operating within 50 metres of school boundaries will also have to follow the restrictions and refrain from selling prohibited HFSS food products.
According to the Maharashtra FDA, inspections revealed that many school canteens, tuck shops, and mid-day meal kitchens were operating without proper registration, while unhealthy processed foods continued to be freely available despite existing regulations.
The order states that improving children's nutrition is a public health priority and is consistent with the constitutional principles under Articles 21, 39(f), and 47, which emphasize the right to health, child welfare, and the state's responsibility to improve nutrition and public health.
Since assuming office as Maharashtra FDA Commissioner in May 2026, Tukaram Mundhe has intensified food safety enforcement across the state through the "Save Food for Every Child" campaign. The latest directive is part of a broader effort to create a healthier food environment in schools by reducing children's exposure to ultra-processed foods and promoting balanced, nutritious diets.
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