Regulation Overview The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is moving toward a new rule that would prohibit the sale of high‑fat, high‑sugar (HFSS) foods within a 50‑metre radius of any school. The proposal, first floated in 2020, is part of a wider food‑safety crackdown that also includes mandatory red warning labels on HFSS products.
The ban would apply to a wide range of items – from sugary soft drinks and salty chips to fried samosas, pizzas and burgers – that are currently sold by family‑run shops, restaurants and street stalls around India’s 1.5 million schools.
Impact on Businesses Shopkeepers in Bhubaneswar have already expressed concern that the rule could cut sales by a third or more. A local shopkeeper told Reuters that a 15‑year‑old customer had bought two packets of PepsiCo’s Uncle Chipps, which he planned to eat during recess.
FSSAI chief executive Rajit Punhani said the aim is to “nudge” companies to reformulate recipes rather than to cripple businesses. He added that the rule would not affect shops that sell non‑HFSS foods and that the impact on businesses would be limited.
Nonetheless, the Confederation of Indian Food Trade and Industry has warned that compliance will be difficult, especially in congested markets where schools sit amid general‑public stalls. The trade group argues that a blanket ban could lead to “loss of business and livelihood” and that restrictions should apply only inside school premises.
Stakeholder Reactions PepsiCo, which owns Lay’s, pointed to its global policy that limits what products can be sold in schools. Nestlé, maker of Maggi noodles, said it follows a similar policy that allows only nutrition‑compliant products in primary and secondary schools. Coca‑Cola and Mondelez did not respond to inquiries.
Rahul Khanna, a food‑regulation specialist, noted a “wave of concern” among confectionery makers, for whom children are a key consumer segment.
Comparative International Context India is not alone in restricting junk food near schools. Chile, which imposed a similar ban in 2016, saw a 2.85 % reduction in excess weight among girls and 2.4 % among boys after 18 months of enforcement. Mexico and other countries have also tightened school‑area food rules.
Maharashtra has already adopted a stricter 50‑metre ban. State data show that inspectors have found violations at 133 shops within 50 metres of schools, ordering 51 to discontinue their business.
Future Outlook The FSSAI has published thresholds for fat, salt and sugar content that would trigger restrictions and is inviting public feedback until 6 October. No final timeline for the law has been set, and the proposal remains in draft form.
If the rule passes, it could push manufacturers to reformulate products and could set a precedent for other states. The outcome will depend on how the public, industry and state governments respond during the feedback period.
Why It Matters India’s childhood obesity rate has risen sharply – from 28 million children aged 5‑19 in 2015 to an estimated 41 million in 2025, with projections of 56 million by 2040. By limiting access to HFSS foods near schools, the government aims to curb early exposure to unhealthy diets and reduce long‑term health risks.
The regulation could also influence global food brands’ strategies in India, potentially prompting earlier reformulation of products to meet stricter nutritional standards.
What to Watch - The outcome of the public feedback period and any amendments to the draft rule. - State‑level responses, especially from Maharashtra and other large states. - Reactions from multinational food companies and the Confederation of Indian Food Trade and Industry. - Any pilot studies or data on the rule’s impact on child nutrition once implemented.
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**Sources** - Reuters (title: India moves closer to new regulations to restrict sale of junk food near schools, url: "")