Srinagar, Aug 27 : The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu and Kashmir has written to Directors of School Education, Jammu and Kashmir, for strict and effective implementation of Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020 in all government and private schools across the Union Territory.In its communication, the FDA has stressed for ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Regulations aimed at providing safe, hygienic and nutritionally balanced food in and around educational institutions and safeguarding health and well-being of school children.As per Regulation 3(5), the School Authority shall ensure that no person sells or offers for sale, including free sale, or permits sale of food products high in saturated fat, trans-fat, added sugar or sodium (junk foods) within the school premises or campus. Further, Regulation 5(1) provides that no person shall advertise, market, sell or offer for sale, including free sale, or permit sale of such food products within the school campus or to school children in an area within 50 metres from the school gate in any direction.As per Regulation 3(1), where the School Authority itself sells or caters school meals on the school campus, or where Food Business Operators (FBOs) sell or cater food on the school campus, the concerned FBOs shall be registered/licensed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and shall comply with the prescribed sanitary and hygienic practices under Schedule 4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, along with the requirements relating to the Food Safety Display Board and Food Safety Supervisor(s).The Regulations further mandate designated meal times in schools to inculcate healthy eating habits among children and provision of safe drinking water free of cost to all students.As per Regulations, School Authority means Head of the Institution, including Principal or Headmaster, along with governing body, trust or any other entity responsible for management and administration of the school and shall also have a system of regular inspection of food premises to ensure that safe, balanced and hygienic food is served to students. The School Authority may appoint a Health and Wellness Ambassador or constitute a Health and Wellness Team, which shall act as nodal mechanism for monitoring availability of safe, balanced and hygienic food in the school.The FDA has accordingly asked the School Education Department and the concerned School Authorities to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Regulations in all government and private schools across Jammu and Kashmir.(GNS)
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