Karnataka’s advisory banning junk food near schools: What it means and why it matters | Explained

Published 3 August 2026 · india

The Karnataka government’s advisory prohibiting the sale, distribution, and promotion of foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS), commonly referred to as junk food

The Karnataka government’s advisory prohibiting the sale, distribution, and promotion of foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS), commonly referred to as junk food, in schools and colleges and within a 50-metre radius of educational institutions has brought children’s nutrition and preventive healthcare into sharp focus. The advisory, issued by the State’s Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA), seeks to create healthier food environments for students at a time when childhood obesity and lifestyle-related illnesses are on the rise. The measure goes beyond regulating school canteens. By extending restrictions to vendors operating immediately outside school gates, the government hopes to reduce children’s easy access to unhealthy foods during school hours. While similar provisions already exist under the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020, the advisory places renewed emphasis on implementation and enforcement. Also Read | Supreme Court asks FSSAI to consider warning labels for packaged foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat Why has Karnataka taken this step? The advisory comes amid growing concern over changing food habits among children and adolescents. The Food Safety Department has said inspections at educational institutions found widespread availability of processed snacks, sugary beverages and foods made using refined carbohydrates. Such foods are often energy-dense but nutritionally poor, containing excessive amounts of salt, sugar and unhealthy fats while providing limited vitamins, minerals and fibre. Rebecca Kuriyan Raj, Professor and Head of the Division of Nutrition at St. John’s Research Institute and Head of Clinical Nutrition Service at St. John’s Medical College Hospital, described the advisory as a timely and much-needed public health intervention. She said schools play a critical role in shaping lifelong eating habits because children spend a significant part of their day there. “Easy access to junk food promotes frequent consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods over healthier meals,” she said, asserting that schools should foster supportive, health-promoting food environments. N. Karthik Nagesh, Programme Director, Pediatric Centre of Excellence at Aster CMI Hospital, said children spend a large part of their day in school and the food available around educational institutions directly influences their eating habits. Restricting junk food near schools creates a healthier environment while sending a strong message to children and parents that nutrition is a priority, he said. Editorial | Front and centre: On the front-of-package labelling issue What are HFSS foods?