No vada pav, samosa, chocolates near schools anymore: Maharashtra bans junk food within a 50-metre radius; check list of banned items & penalties

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a state-wide ban on the sale, distribution and advertisement of junk food inside schools and within a 50-metre radius of school premises. The move aims to promote healthier eating habits among students and curb easy access to high-fat, high-sugar and deep-fried foods.

The announcement was made by Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Munde, who said school authorities would be held accountable for ensuring strict implementation of the new rules. ANI reported that inspections across the state will begin soon.

No vada pav, samosas, cold drinks or ice creams near schools

Explaining the scope of the ban, Munde said a wide range of unhealthy food items will no longer be allowed to be sold, distributed or advertised in and around schools.


"I want to make it clear that excess fat, excess trans fat and excess sugar products, including deeply fried foods, excessive sugar drinks, vada pav, samosa, cold drinks, chocolates and ice cream, such junk foods are strictly not allowed inside schools to be sold, not be distributed freely, advertise and also not in the surrounding (50 metres range). Principal and School Management should implement this strictly, and there should also be awareness about it among parents," he said, as quoted by ANI.

The commissioner stressed that schools must also educate parents about the importance of healthy eating habits among children.

Principals and school management face action for violations

The FDA has warned that principals and school management committees could face action if they fail to enforce the ban.

"We will start inspections across the State soon. FDA along with School Management will be happy to take a workshop at District level and Taluka level to implement it smoothly," Munde said, according to ANI.

The department plans to conduct inspections across Maharashtra to ensure compliance and will organise awareness workshops at district and taluka levels to support schools in implementing the new guidelines.

FDA also comments on MPSC examination complaint

During the briefing, Munde also responded to questions regarding an alleged Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) examination paper leak.

"We received an email from an individual on the 21st. We recorded the person's statement on the 24th. MPSC is an independent body, and it conducts the Food and Drug Inspector examination. We have forwarded the statement and all the documents we received to the MPSC," he said, as quoted by ANI.

He clarified that the FDA had forwarded the complaint and supporting documents to the MPSC for further action.

FDA steps up food safety enforcement

The latest order comes weeks after the Maharashtra FDA suspended the food licences of three eateries in Mumbai over serious hygiene and food safety violations.

According to the department, inspections carried out in Bhendi Bazaar and Umarkhadi uncovered multiple deficiencies, including poor kitchen hygiene, missing records for raw material procurement, lack of drinking water quality testing, inadequate documentation on cooking oil quality, improper segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, and the absence of insect-proof screens, increasing the risk of pest infestation.

The FDA said the latest restrictions near schools are part of broader efforts to improve food safety standards and encourage healthier food choices across the state.

Inputs from ANI