The Indian government is considering new regulations to restrict the sale of foods high in sugar and fat within a 50-meter radius of schools.
According to Reuters, this move is seen as the latest effort to curb junk food consumption amidst rising obesity rates in India, particularly among children.
The proposed regulations would affect small family-run shops, restaurants, and food stalls located near India’s 1.5 million schools.
Some merchants and shopkeepers near schools are concerned about the new rules. Over a dozen shopkeepers in the eastern city of Bhubaneswar told Reuters that their sales could drop by a third or more as a result.
Rajit Punhani, CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)—the agency driving these changes—noted that the “Safe Food” campus initiative aims to steer children away from unhealthy habits at an early age.
He believes the goal of the regulation is to encourage businesses to adjust their product formulations. “We must stop children from eating these things and help them develop good habits. This won’t have a major impact on businesses; shopkeepers can simply sell foods that aren’t high in sugar.”
As part of a nationwide food safety crackdown, the FSSAI announced thresholds for fat, salt, and sugar content in foods sold in and around schools this past August; the proposal is currently open for public comment until October 6.
The regulation was originally proposed in 2020 but previously lacked a clear implementation roadmap.