Maharashtra bans junk food within 50 m of schools, mandates FDA licences

Maharashtra junk food ban schools HFSS FDA

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a state‑wide ban on the sale, distribution and advertisement of high‑fat, high‑sugar and high‑salt (HFSS) foods inside school premises and within a 50‑metre radius. The prohibition covers items such as vada pav, samosa, chips, cold drinks, chocolates and ice‑cream. It applies uniformly to all schools – government, private, CBSE, ICSE and other boards – affecting roughly 1.08 million schools and about 20 million students.

Under the order, any canteen, hostel kitchen or food‑supply vendor serving schools must hold a valid FSSAI licence and be registered with the FDA. Schools are required to display food‑safety information boards, appoint food‑safety supervisors and run “Eat Right” campaigns. FDA Commissioner Tukaram Munde warned that principals and school management will be held accountable; non‑compliance could lead to notices, licence suspension, seizure of food items and legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Inspections across the state are slated to begin soon, with district‑level workshops planned to aid implementation.

Entities: FSSAI · Maharashtra · Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration · Maharashtra schools · Tukaram Munde

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] The ban includes vada pav, samosa, chips, cold drinks, chocolates and ice‑cream. (Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Munde)
[● 2 SOURCES] Schools must display food‑safety boards, appoint supervisors and implement the “Eat Right” campaign. (Maharashtra FDA)
[● 2 SOURCES] Approximately 1.08 million schools and about 20 million students will be affected by the ban. (Maharashtra FDA)
[● 4 SOURCES] The ban applies to all schools in Maharashtra, including government, private, CBSE, ICSE and other board‑affiliated institutions. (Maharashtra FDA)
[● 4 SOURCES] Maharashtra FDA banned sale, distribution and advertisement of high‑fat, high‑sugar, high‑salt foods within school premises and a 50‑metre radius. (Maharashtra FDA)
[● 2 SOURCES] FDA Commissioner Tukaram Munde announced upcoming inspections and district‑level workshops to enforce the ban. (Tukaram Munde)
[● 3 SOURCES] Non‑compliant schools risk notices, licence suspension, seizure of food items and legal action under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. (Maharashtra FDA)
[● 4 SOURCES] Canteen operators and food vendors supplying schools must hold valid FSSAI licences and be registered with the FDA. (Maharashtra FDA)