The Food Safety and Drug Administration of Karnataka has reiterated that the sale of High Fat, Sugar and Salt (HFSS) food products within school and college premises and within a 50-metre radius of educational institutions should be prohibited in the interest of students’ health. The department has warned of action against those found violating these rules.

It may be recalled that the state issued an advisory on July 24, 2026, in line with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notification of the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Healthy Diets for School Children) Regulations, 2020, issued in September 2020. The regulations prohibit the sale of junk food to help curb non-communicable diseases and rising childhood obesity in the country.

The department said the advisory follows a special inspection drive conducted during July 2026, covering 134 schools, colleges and food business establishments located within and around their premises across Karnataka. During the inspections, officials verified the quality of food products, hygiene and sanitation standards, compliance with food safety regulations, labelling requirements, the sale of expired food products, and the validity of licences and registrations held by Food Business Operators (FBOs).

The department said 53 food samples were collected and sent to the State Food Laboratory in Bengaluru for analysis. It added that appropriate legal action would be initiated against the concerned Food Business Operators based on the laboratory reports under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and the Food Safety and Standards Rules, 2011.

During the inspections, officials found that certain food business establishments located within and around school and college premises were selling HFSS food products. The department said awareness was created among school and college managements regarding the prohibition on the sale of such products within campuses and within a 50-metre radius of educational institutions. They were also informed that action would be taken in accordance with the law wherever violations are detected.

The official note further stated that, in keeping with the guidelines issued by the FSSAI, the department issued an advisory on July 24, 2026, directing that the sale of HFSS food products within 50 metres of schools and colleges should be discouraged, healthy food choices should be promoted, and Food Business Operators should strictly comply with food safety regulations. District Designated Officers and Food Safety Officers have been instructed to implement the advisory across the state and create awareness among school and college managements, Food Business Operators and the general public.

The department said it would continue to conduct such inspection drives periodically to ensure the availability of safe food for students.

Definition sought

Meanwhile, while private schools welcomed the move as beneficial for students, they sought greater clarity on the definition of foods covered under the ban.

Shashi Kumar, General Secretary of the Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka, said, “This move by the Karnataka government is a welcome step for students’ health. However, schools and colleges need greater clarity on what qualifies as junk food. For instance, if a burger outlet sells burgers containing vegetables or if a beverage is marketed as having zero sugar, would those be permitted? Smaller food outlets may be subject to closer scrutiny, but what about larger chains? There needs to be clarity on which foods can be sold.”

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