Guidelines for promotion of Healthy Snacks for School Children
Date : 13th July, 2016
Subject: Guidelines for promotion of Healthy Snacks for School Children in India and restricting the sale of ‘Junk Foods’ in and around Schools
The undersigned is directed to refer to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Government of India, letter No: 250/09/2016-17/NCPCR/Policy Matter/42091 dated 16/06/2016 on the above subject and to state that National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), New Delhi has taken cognizance under section 13(1) (f) and (k) of the CPCR Act, 2005 regarding the consumption of food high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) or “Junk Food” which is found to be rampant amongst school children leading to many health hazards and diseases viz. type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, chronic inflammation and hyperinsulinemia with a risk of cardiovascular diseases in later life.
These diseases and childhood obesity have been reportedly found to affect the cognitive and physical development of children adversely, causing an irreparable loss to the society. In this regard, “Food Safety and Standards Authority of India”, FSSAI has framed guidelines on „Making Available Wholesome, Nutritious, Safe and Hygienic Food to School Children in India". The details of these guidelines are available at the mentioned web link given below;
-> http://www.fssai.gov.in/Portal/0/pdf/Order_Draft_Guidelines_School_Children.pdf
The NCPCR recommends that:
i. CBSE should ensure that compliance to its circular vide No. Acad-02/2016 dated January 6, 2016 on “Promotion of Healthy Snacks is strictly adhered to and follow up action on quarterly basis is done regarding the same.
ii. State Education Boards (Non CBSE) should issue a similar circular as CBSE for adhering to the afore-mentioned guidelines framed by FSSAI. And a review of compliance of the same be undertaken on quarterly basis.
The School Education Department, Manipur should issue these instructions to schools to follow the FSSAI Guidelines. For effecting monitoring of the FSSAI Guidelines in schools of Manipur, the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) is constituting a team comprising of its Members, Technical Experts and Food Inspectors of the State designated by FSSAI/State Health Department to undertake inspections/surprise visits of the Schools in the State and take appropriate action and subsequently submit the Action Taken Report (ATR) to the NCPCR, New Delhi.
(SK Sharma)
Chairperson
Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR)
* This information is sent to e-pao.net by Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) who can be contacted at mcpcrmanipur(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This Post is webcasted on July 14 2016
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