New Delhi, Nov 14 (KNN) The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the food watchdog in the country, has come out with a ten-point charter for Food Business Operators who run canteens in the schools or provide food to the canteens as well as for the schools to ensure no-junk and unhealthy food reaches the children within the school premises.

“A healthy food make our kids feel better, grow better and learn better and right eating habits can be engrained in the children from a young age. With the aim to ensure safe and wholesome food for School children FSSAI has proposed a draft regulation titles Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and healthy diets for School Children) Regulations, 2019,” FSSAI said.

Ten-point Charter of this regulation:

---  1.  The School Authority itself/FBOs contracted by School Authorityselling or catering school meals and FBOs contracted  by Department of School Education for operation of  the  Mid-Day Meal scheme must obtain a registration or license as applicable and complywith the requirements of sanitary and hygienic practices to the food service establishments as specified under schedule 4 of  the  Food  Safety  and  Standards  (Licensing  and  Registration  of  Food  Businesses)  regulations, 2011.

---  2.  Foods which are referred to as foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) cannot be sold to school children  in  school  canteens/  mess  premises/  hostel  kitchens  or  within  50  meters  of  the  school campus.

---  3.  Encourage  schools  to  adopt  a  comprehensive  program  for  promoting  Safe  food  and  Healthy diets amongst school children, and to convert school campus into Eat Right School focusing safe and healthy food, local and seasonal food and no food waste as per the specified benchmarks.

---  4.  Encourage School Authority to promote consumption of a safe and balanced diet in the school as per the guidelines issued by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN).

---  5.  The School Authority shall ensure that FBOs supplying prepared meals in the premises are on the basis of general guidance provided in the regulation and as per the direction issued by the Food Authority or the Commissioners of Food safety.

---  6.  Nutrionists,  dietitians may  be  engaged  by  the  School  authority  to  assist  in  the  preparation  of menu for the children, periodically.

---  7.  FBOs manufacturing HFSS food products barred advertising such foods to children in school premises or within 50 meters of the school campus.

---  8.  FBOs to support healthy eating in schools and not market, sell, or give away low nutrition foods anywhere on school campus, including through logos, brand names, posters, textbook covers etc.

---  9. Regular inspection of premises to ensure that safe, healthy and hygienic food is served to students

--- 10. Creating a sub-committee by the State Level Advisory Committee to monitor the implementation of this regulations and to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food to school children

The FSSAI said, “These regulations, after consideration of stakeholder comments and finalization, would be finalized for implementation.  Meanwhile FSSAI would direct State Food Authorities/ Department of School Education to frame healthy diets for school children in accordance with the General guidance given in this regulation.”