Maharashtra bans junk food in school canteens, cites obesity fears

Maharashtra bans junk food in school canteens, cites obesity fears (मोटापे का डर) 

Schools have also been asked to create awareness among children+ about healthy eating. "(They) must take help of professionals in the locality and (seek) information on the internet," said the GR. Experts have welcomed the state's move. "The human body is not designed to metabolise (चयापचय)large amounts of artificial sugar and this is easily converted to fat. It is also linked to insulin resistance, which is a precursor to diabetes," said Carlyne Remedios, a nutritionist with Saifee Hospital. She said that while it isn't easy to strike the right balance with healthy food, it is not impossible and."The best way is to make gradual changes so that they are accepted well." Experts also wished the move had come much earlier."There was always the science to show that HFSS food had negative health effects on children, and so we should have realized the need for a policy decision two or three years ago," said Dr Jagmeet Madan, VP , Indian Dietetic Association."Nevertheless(फिर भी) , it is a welcome step and the least we can do is to minimize the availability of such food to children. "

The Centre's recommendations were issued in December 2014. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) was the first to implement the MWCD's report. It issued directives to affiliated schools in January 2016. CBSE also suggested that a school canteen management committee (SCMC) should take charge of menu preparation. CBSE wanted 7-10 panel members, including teachers, parents, students and school canteen operators, to implement the guidelines.