Maharashtra FDA Bans Junk Food Near Schools
Chips, vada pav, cold drinks out, canteen licences now mandatory across the state
Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration issued a statewide order on July 28, 2026 banning the sale, advertisement, and free distribution of High Fat, Sugar, and Salt (HFSS) foods inside school premises and within a 50-meter radius of their boundaries.
Banned items include vada pav, chips, ice creams, chocolates, cold drinks, energy drinks, fried snacks, and Chinese food containing ajinomoto. Licences are now mandatory for all school canteens, hostel kitchens, Mid-Day Meal kitchens, and Anganwadi centres. Canteens must proactively feature fruits, vegetables, whole grains, pulses, and dairy.
The order targets healthier eating habits for over two crore students across Maharashtra.
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