# FSSAI Proposes Nationwide Ban on Junk Food Sales Within 50 Metres of 1.5 Million Schools

> To tackle surging childhood obesity, FSSAI has drafted a plan restricting high fat, sugar, and salt snacks near 1.5 million school premises across India.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Health · **Published:** 2026-09-24 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/health/desha-bhara-ke-15-lakha-skulon-ke-50-mitara-dayare-men-jnka-phuda-ki-bikri-para-roka-lagane-ki-taiyari-men-fssai-38022 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** FSSAI, Junk Food, Schools, Childhood Obesity, Health, Nutrition, PepsiCo, Nestle

A sweeping regulatory initiative is underway to clear the immediate surroundings of educational institutions from ultra-processed snacks and sugary beverages. Aiming to curb escalating childhood obesity and chronic lifestyle conditions, authorities are preparing strict curbs that target high fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) foods. Under the new proposal, the commercial sale of junk food items will be prohibited within a 50-metre radius of approximately 1.5 million schools across the country. The initiative intends to redirect children away from packaged snack dependencies and build foundational habits around nutritious eating.

## The 50-Metre Restriction and Industry Impact
The regulatory framework prepared by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) specifically targets retail outlets, mobile carts, and vendors operating right outside school gates. Under the proposed guidelines, shops and kiosks within the 50-metre perimeter will be barred from selling carbonated soft drinks, packaged crisps, chocolates, burgers, and pizzas. FSSAI Chief Executive Rajit Punhani noted that the objective is to nurture healthy eating habits among school-going children. Vendors will remain permitted to sell non-HFSS, wholesome food alternatives. This boundary restriction is also expected to compel multinational food manufacturers to reformulate their recipes by reducing excessive sodium, saturated fats, and refined sugar.

## Alarming Projections in Childhood Obesity
The rising prevalence of excess weight among school-age demographics presents a deepening public health challenge. Data compiled by the World Obesity Federation illustrates a steep upward trajectory in India among children aged 5 to 19 years. In 2015, approximately 2.8 crore children in this age bracket were classified as overweight or obese. By 2025, that metric climbed to 4.1 crore individuals. Without decisive structural intervention, projections estimate that the number of affected children could reach 5.6 crore by the year 2040, dramatically elevating long-term risks of adolescent hypertension, cardiovascular ailments, and metabolic disorders.

## Aggressive Marketing, State Actions, and Global Precedents
Changing urban lifestyles coupled with ultra-affordable price points, such as pizzas sold for as low as 49 rupees, have significantly accelerated junk food consumption. Aggressive marketing from multinational brands including PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Mondelez, and Nestle has entrenched packaged treats as convenient daily snacks, frequently displacing balanced homemade meals. Responding to these trends, states such as Maharashtra have already initiated regulatory crackdowns against stalls vending unhealthy items directly outside campuses. On the international stage, nations like Chile have previously enacted rigorous school-zone junk food prohibitions, yielding measurable declines in childhood weight gain. The proposed national measure seeks to mirror these outcomes across India's vast schooling ecosystem.

## What this means for you
The proposed restrictions around school perimeters will alter daily dietary access for students while shifting retail inventories near educational institutions.

- **For Parents and Students:** Restricting access to packaged chips, sodas, and fast food right outside school gates helps curb impulse junk food purchases. Families will need to emphasize home-packed tiffins and healthier fruit or nut-based alternatives during school hours.
- **For Local Vendors and Canteens:** Retailers and cart operators within the 50-metre zone must clear high fat, sugar, and salt products from their display shelves. Businesses will have to substitute these items with certified non-HFSS healthy snacks to remain compliant.
- **For Food and Beverage Manufacturers:** Major packaged food brands risk lower volume sales directly adjacent to school markets across 1.5 million institutions. Companies will face increased regulatory motivation to reformulate product recipes with reduced sodium and sugar levels.
- **For Long-Term Healthcare Costs:** Slowing the growth of childhood obesity helps protect children against early onset diabetes and cardiovascular risks. Over time, healthier eating environments reduce prolonged chronic care expenses for households.

## Why this happened
FSSAI formulated this regulatory restriction in response to sharp increases in childhood obesity rates and aggressive junk food marketing near educational spaces.

- **Surging Childhood Obesity Metrics:** Data from the World Obesity Federation revealed that overweight and obese youth in India grew from 2.8 crore in 2015 to 4.1 crore in 2025. This steep rise compelled regulators to take preventative measures before figures hit projected highs of 5.6 crore by 2040.
- **Affordable Ultra-Processed Options:** Aggressive pricing structures, including mini pizzas priced at 49 rupees, combined with high-visibility branding from multinational corporations, have displaced wholesome diets. Children consistently opted for cheap packaged chips and drinks over traditional home-cooked meals.
- **Evidence from International Precedents:** Countries such as Chile proved that strict marketing and zoning bans on junk food near school premises effectively arrest pediatric weight gains. Indian authorities are using these established global public health interventions as a blueprint.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What specific foods does the FSSAI proposal aim to restrict?
The proposal seeks to ban the sale of high fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) foods such as chips, carbonated soft drinks, chocolates, pizzas, and burgers within 50 metres of schools.

### 2. How many educational institutions will fall under this proposed regulation?
The proposed measure is designed to cover approximately 1.5 million schools across India.

### 3. What are the latest figures regarding childhood obesity in India?
World Obesity Federation data shows that overweight children aged 5 to 19 rose from 2.8 crore in 2015 to 4.1 crore in 2025, with projections reaching 5.6 crore by 2040.

### 4. Will vendors within the 50-metre perimeter be allowed to sell any food items?
Yes, retailers will be permitted to vend non-HFSS certified healthy and nutritious food items.

### 5. Which Indian state has already initiated action against junk food sales near schools?
Maharashtra has already tightened scrutiny and initiated regulatory action against shops vending junk food close to school grounds.

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