India moves to restrict junk food sales near schools to combat obesity

Nestle: Nestle is a global food and beverage company known for products such as Maggi noodles in the Indian market. Its sales near schools may be affected by the new regulations targeting high fat, salt, and sugar items. It adheres to a global policy permitting only nutrition-compliant products in primary and secondary schools. PepsiCo: PepsiCo is a major multinational food and beverage company with popular brands including Lay's chips and Pepsi soft drinks sold in India. The firm faces potential restrictions on sales of its high fat, salt, and sugar items near schools under the new regulatory proposals. It has directed inquiries to its global policy that limits certain products in school settings. Mondelez: Mondelez is a multinational confectionery company whose brands include Cadbury chocolates available in India. It stands to encounter hurdles from the proposed restrictions on high fat, salt, and sugar products sold near schools. The company did not respond to related inquiries. Coca-Cola: Coca-Cola is a leading multinational beverage company operating in India with a range of sugary drink products. The company could be impacted by rules restricting high fat, salt, and sugar items near schools. It did not respond to queries about the proposals. Rajit Punhani: Rajit Punhani is the chief executive of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. He is spearheading the safe food schools initiative aimed at steering children away from unhealthy eating habits through early intervention. He noted that the rules seek to encourage companies to reformulate recipes while minimizing major disruptions to businesses. Tukaram Mundhe: Tukaram Mundhe serves as the state food safety commissioner in Maharashtra, India. He has enforced stricter state-level rules barring high fat, salt, and sugar products from all shops within 50 meters of schools. His department has conducted inspections resulting in orders for some shops to cease operations due to violations. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India serves as the country's primary regulatory body overseeing food safety standards and compliance. It is advancing the latest proposal to limit sales of high fat, salt, and sugar products within 50 meters of schools as part of broader efforts to address childhood obesity. The authority recently set thresholds for such products and is collecting public feedback on the measures. Chile Outcome: Chile's regulations on warning labels and junk food sales in schools have prompted manufacturers to reformulate recipes and shifted consumer behavior toward healthier choices. Global Precedent: A number of countries have put in place or proposed rules restricting the sale of junk food near or inside schools to combat obesity. Industry Approach: Multinational food companies commonly apply global policies that limit the types of products allowed for sale in school environments.