Health Dept to rein in canteens selling junk food

Nikhila P Dhawan/TNS

Bathinda, May 23

Taking cognizance of the increasing number of cases of lifestyle diseases among students in schools and colleges, the District Health Department has decided to tighten the noose around the canteens selling junk food at these institutions.

As per a survey conducted recently, it has been found that diabetes and diseases related to heart and blood pressure are on the rise among children. Following the guidelines, the food and drug administrator will first conduct checks and give warning to the operators in case any junk food item is being sold. If during the second round of checks, the operators are found to be flouting the guidelines, action will be taken.

During a recent meeting at Mohali, officials of the department and food and drug branch had opined that the primary cause of heart problems, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol levels and blood pressure among children could be the easy availability of junk food at canteens.

As part of the initiative, the department will also make it mandatory for the canteen operators to be registered with the Health Department and have licences. The canteen operators will be told not to offer items such as pizza, burger, noodles and hot dog.

The violators will have their licences cancelled.

Assistant food commissioner Amritpal Singh said, “The department will soon release guidelines for items that can be sold at the canteens. It will ensure that the guidelines are followed by operators.”