Karnataka FDA Bans Sale of HFSS Junk Foods Within 50 Metres of Schools and Colleges
The Food Safety and Drug Administration, Government of Karnataka, has issued an Advisory dated 24 July 2026 prohibiting the sale, free distribution, advertisement and promotion of High Fat, Sugar and Salt (HFSS) food products within school and college premises and within a 50-metre radius, with strict enforcement under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA), Government of Karnataka has issued an Advisory (No. HFW/FDA/ENF/2026-27 dated 24 July 2026) prohibiting the sale of High Fat, Sugar and Salt (HFSS) food products within school and college premises and within a 50-metre radius, and directing strict enforcement of food safety regulations.
The Department noted during inspections that food served to children in some schools contained excessive refined carbohydrates such as white bread, pasta and processed snack foods, which cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels. The Advisory calls for balanced meals with lean proteins and healthy fats to provide sustained energy and better concentration through the day.
Key Directions
- The sale, free distribution, advertisement and promotion of HFSS foods are prohibited within school, college and other educational institution premises and within a 50-metre radius.
- School managements shall ensure HFSS products are not sold within school premises and shall prominently display warning signboards at key locations.
- Necessary action shall be taken to ensure HFSS food products are not sold within a 50-metre radius of school premises.
- All food establishments near schools — stalls, hotels, bakeries, canteens and other food businesses — must obtain registration/licence under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and strictly comply with hygiene and food safety standards.
- Food Safety Officers shall conduct regular inspections of vendors operating around schools and colleges, with legal action wherever violations are detected.
- Violators are liable under the FSS Act, 2006 and Rules/Regulations, 2011, including improvement notices, suspension or cancellation of licence, seizure of food products and judicial proceedings.
- School managements shall promote healthy eating habits, create awareness about nutritious food and organise programmes to discourage junk food consumption.
- Food provided to children shall conform to the FSS (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020, including the General Guidance for Providing Safe Food and Balanced Diet to Children and the General Guidance for Selection of Foods.
What Schools Must Serve
Under the 2020 Regulations, meal-times in schools are mandatory, safe drinking water must be provided free of cost, and the school menu must be a cereal-protein combination and micronutrient-rich meal using whole grains, pulses, millets, milk, eggs and fresh seasonal local produce. Cooking oil or ghee is to be used in moderation, re-heated fats and oils must be avoided, and fortified wheat flour, rice, milk, edible oil and double fortified salt may be used as per the Fortification of Foods Regulations, 2018. 75–80% of the menu must come from cereals, millets, pulses, milk products, fruits, vegetables, nuts and freshly cooked foods, while foods high in saturated fat, trans fat, added sugar or sodium are not to be made available in schools and hostels at all.
All school and college managements and Food Business Operators functioning within or around school premises are directed to implement these instructions. The full Advisory (English and Kannada) is attached below.
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