'LG should ban junk food in school'

With an eye on wooing voters with school-going children, the Delhi BJP on Thursday raised concerns over junk food served to kids in their institutions’ canteen.

Demanding healthy food for school children and promotion of a healthy lifestyle among them, Delhi BJP chief Harsh Vardhan urged Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung to issue orders to ban junk food in government and private schools.

“To save lakhs of students from health hazards, the LG should issue directions to ban sale of junk food in school,” said the BJP leader.

In some schools, the principals and members of the management committee were aware of the violations of the government guidelines taking place in their institutions, he said.
“They themselves promote sale of deep fried food items like samosas, chole bhatoore, canned food, chips, pizza, burger and French fries,” said Harsh Vardhan, a former Delhi health minister.

Sympathising with helpless children, the BJP leader said the kids were unaware of the food items they should not eat.

“Canteen operators in schools are driven by the objective of making maximum profit. Serving healthy food to children is not their priority,” said the BJP leader.

He said the smanagement should he held accountable for any violation of the guidelines against sale of junk foods.

“In countries like Australia, Singapore and Canada, food safety in schools is considered a social responsibility. It is high time for Indian schools to also emulate their example and prevent consumption or sale of junk food by students in canteens,” he said.

Harsh Vardhan said a committee tasked by the Delhi High Court to prepare a list of healthy food for sale through canteens should ensure that its report gives healthy alternatives to students.

The BJP urged the Lieutenant Governor to issue orders restricting sale of unhealthy food articles on the premises of these institutions.