SRINAGAR: The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Kashmir Division, has directed District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) to ensure strict compliance with food safety regulations to safeguard the health and well-being of schoolchildren.
The directions have been issued following instructions from the Food & Drugs Administration (FDA), Jammu and Kashmir, regarding implementation of the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020.
As per the directions, issued by Joint Director SCERT, schools have been asked to prohibit the sale or offering of food products high in saturated fat, trans-fat, added sugar or sodium within school premises.
The sale, marketing and advertisement of such food products to schoolchildren within 50 metres of school gates has also been prohibited.
SCERT has further directed that school canteens and food service providers must possess the requisite registration or licence under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and comply with prescribed food safety, sanitary and hygiene requirements.
Schools have also been asked to provide safe drinking water free of cost, promote healthy eating habits and regularly monitor the quality, safety and hygiene of food served to students.
The institutions may designate Health and Wellness Ambassadors or teams to monitor and promote safe, hygienic and nutritionally balanced food practices among students.
The Principals of DIETs have been directed to organise training and awareness programmes in their respective jurisdictions and maintain brief action-taken/compliance reports for submission to SCERT.
The matter has been accorded top priority in the interest of the health, safety and well-being of schoolchildren, the order stated. (JKNS)
