NEW DELHI: Lip-smacking junk food, including pizzas, burgers and samosas, will no longer be available in college canteens as the University Grants Commission on Wednesday issued a directive prohibiting the sale of unhealthy food in educational institutions.
Expressing concern over rising obesity among students, the UGC said the consumption of junk food had an adverse impact on health. The new directive follows an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report in May, which said, “Ultra-processed foods tend to be excessively high in fats and can lead to obesity. They can hasten ageing and are associated with a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes and diabetes… lead to poorer overall health”. The commission said good health was a fundamental privilege for humanity.
“India is facing a rapid increase in diseases, with one in four persons being either obese or diabetic/pre-diabetic, as per the ICMR report 2020-23. The NAPi, a national think-tank on nutrition comprising independent experts in epidemiology, human nutrition, community nutrition, paediatrics and other fields, has requested to prohibit the sale of unhealthy food in educational institutions and promote healthy food options in canteens,” it said.