Karnataka bans junk food sales in schools and government hospitals

Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader announced a statewide ban on the sale of junk food, including burgers and pizza, in all schools and government hospitals. The announcement was made at a grievance redressal and development review meeting held at the District Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru. The ban aims to curb lifestyle‑related diseases by promoting healthier eating habits among children and patients.

The government plans to begin implementation at the District Wenlock Hospital as a model, then extend the prohibition to other state‑run facilities and encourage private institutions to follow suit. To enforce the ban, the state will upgrade existing food‑testing laboratories and establish a new advanced lab in Bengaluru, strengthening compliance checks on food manufacturers and ensuring that any substandard products can be legally challenged.

The policy reflects growing concerns over rising obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions linked to junk‑food consumption in Karnataka.