Junk food to carry warning labels; Rajasthan schools already under spotlight
Jaipur: The next time a student picks up a packet of chips, biscuits or a sugary drink, a prominent warning on the front of the pack could make the choice easier. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Friday (August 28) agreed to introduce red-coloured, hexagonal warning labels on packaged foods that are high in salt, sugar and fat, following the Supreme Court’s intervention on front-of-pack labelling.
Under the proposed framework, products high in specified nutrients would carry prominent warnings such as “HIGH FAT”, “HIGH SALT” and “HIGH SUGAR”. Certain sweetened beverages would carry a “HIGHLY SWEETENED BEVERAGE” warning. The labels are intended to make it easier for consumers to identify foods that are high in nutrients of concern without having to study the detailed nutritional information printed on the back of the packet.
Why Rajasthan is watching the move
The issue has a direct connection with schools in Rajasthan. The Rajasthan High Court recently directed schools to stop the sale of high-fat, high-sugar and high-salt food items in school canteens and within 50 metres of school gates. The court also directed schools to constitute food safety and nutrition committees involving teachers, parents and students.
The court’s intervention came amid concerns over the implementation of the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020. It also directed schools to display information about the calorie count, ingredients and nutritional value of food served in their canteens.
For Rajasthan’s students, therefore, the proposed national labelling system comes at a time when the food available to children in and around schools is receiving increased attention.
What does it mean for students?
For a school student, a warning label can provide a quick answer to a simple question: “Is this something I should eat regularly?”
Students do not necessarily have the time or knowledge to compare the detailed nutritional information on every packet. A clear warning on the front could make it easier to spot products containing high levels of sugar, salt or fat.
But the label is not a ban on the product. It is meant to give consumers information and allow them to make a more informed choice.
What schools and parents can do
The responsibility cannot rest only with food labels. Schools and parents can help children develop healthier habits by encouraging them to:
check the nutrition information before buying packaged food;
limit highly processed snacks and sugary drinks;
choose fresh fruits and other healthier alternatives;
drink water instead of regularly consuming sweetened beverages; and
understand that advertisements and attractive packaging do not necessarily mean a product is healthy.
The recent Rajasthan High Court directions also put greater responsibility on schools to create a healthier food environment for children.
The bigger health message
For children, food habits developed during school years can influence their choices later in life. Warning labels can help, but health education is equally important. Students need to understand not only what a label says, but also why excessive salt, sugar and fat should be limited.
School Speaks: The next time you buy a packaged snack, don’t look only at the brand or the advertisement. Turn the packet around—and, when the new warnings arrive, check the front too.
Image Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB0npvRCirw
