Food and beverage companies see red over FSSAI roadblocks near schools

The sale of other foods around schools has also been restricted. The list includes ice cream, sweets, canned or preserved vegetables, meat, fish, pulse-based snacks, nuts, white bread and biscuits.

The prohibition of the sale of ‘unhealthy’ food and beverages in and around schools has angered packaged food and beverage companies who fear that sales will fall.

Rules issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) ban the sale of items containing excess salt, sugar or saturated fat —  among other ingredients – within a 50 metre radius of a school or similar educational institute or hostel from July, 2021.

Only ‘healthy’ boiled or steamed snacks will be allowed, along with cereals and pulses-based idli, upma, poha, khandvi, and dhokla etc.

Apart from banning the sale of ‘unhealthy’ snacks, the