Thiruvananthapuram: In a move to phase out consumption of junk food and promote healthy food habits among children, the Kerala Commissio-nerate of Food Safety is gearing up to launch Eat Right Campaign at scho-ols and campuses in the state. As many as 12 pro-minent school and institutions in the state capital have come forward to be part of the Eat Right Campaign of the food safety authorities.
According to authorities, the drive is being launched ahead of the introduction of the new regulation by the Food Safety and Standards Au-thority of India (FSSAI). FSSAI has sought comments from stakeholders within 30 days on its draft regulation – ‘Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and healthy diets for Sc-hool Children’ Regulati-ons, 2019. An official said that the deadline for submission of feedback would end on December 3.
“We want to launch this campaign ahead of the enforcement of this regulation, which would come into effect very soon. We will declare schools as Eat Right School. Some of the schools have come forward and expressed interest. Already one of the schools in the state capital has set up a model kitchen which is serving wholesome and nutritious meals to the children,” said an official. The Commissionerate is planning to launch the scheme with two weeks.
The food safety authorities had convened meetings with bakers, school principals and other stakeholders to make them part of the campaign.
“We cannot bring in a ban overnight. More discussions would be held with the stakeholders. The FSSAI rule bans sale and promotion of junk foods within 50-metre radius of the schools,” said the official.
