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Junk Food may be Banned Near Schools

by Kathy Jones on Apr 18 2013 11:12 PM

 Junk Food may be Banned Near Schools
The Indian government is coming out with new guidelines that will ban the presence of any junk food and fizzy drinks within 500 yards of schools.
According to Additional Solicitor General Rajeev Mehra, who was representing the central government in Delhi High Court, the center will be ensuring that the draft guidelines will be announced by July 21 with the union health ministry also stating that it will be taking more steps to monitor the health of school children.

Mehra was responding to a PIL filed by Rahul Verma of NGO Uday Foundation who wants a ban placed on the availability of junk food in schools in New Delhi.

Admitting that poor communication may be hindering its efforts in assessing the negative effects of junk food on school children, the health ministry said, “There are several reported incidents of food poisoning in the schools due to unhygienic food served in schools. There is an increase in the quantity and variety of junk foods sold within the school premises that may have deleterious effect on child health both in short and long term. Incidents may be many more but they go unreported due to interior location and poor communication.”

Source-Medindia


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