India plans junk food ban within 50 metres of schools

India is moving closer to regulations that would restrict the sale of foods high in fat, salt and sugar within 50 metres of schools, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed. The rule, first proposed in 2020, would affect family-run stores, restaurants and food stands near the country's 1.5 million schools. FSSAI chief executive Rajit Punhani said the aim is to discourage children from developing unhealthy habits early on and to nudge companies to reformulate products. There is no fixed timeline yet, the authority invited public feedback until October 6.

The number of Indian children aged 5-19 classified as overweight or obese has surged from 28 million in 2015 to 41 million in 2025, and is projected to reach 56 million by 2040, according to World Obesity Federation data. The western state of Maharashtra has taken a stricter approach, ordering shops within 50 metres of schools not to stock such products at all. State food safety commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said enforcing a rule based on whom products are sold to is impractical given the number of shops. Inspectors have found violations at 133 shops and ordered 51 to discontinue business.

The Confederation of Indian Food Trade and Industry has raised concerns, saying compliance would be difficult near congested markets and could cause loss of livelihood, arguing restrictions should apply only inside schools. Global companies including PepsiCo, Nestle and Mondelez face the proposed rules alongside separate warning label requirements. The Economic Times and Khaleej Times report shopkeepers in Bhubaneswar fear sales could drop by a third or more.