All India Food Processors Association moves Delhi HC on junk food ban in schools

NEW DELHI: The All India Food Processors Association (AIFPA) today moved the Delhi High Court with a plea to hear it before passing any final order on a PIL seeking a ban on the junk food and aerated drinks from the vicinity of educational institutions.

Filing an application for impleadment in the PIL, the AIFPA said it was dealing with processing of fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, milk and milk products and also the manufacturers of biscuits and confectionery products.

Appearing for the Association, counsel Mukul Rohtagi told a bench headed by Acting Chief Justice A K Sikri that the petitioner has failed to specify what kind of foods should be included in the definition of junk food or fast food as the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act does not define anything as 'junk food' of 'fast food'.

The petitioner also failed to clarify the kind of foods to be banned in the vicinity of schools, the lawyer also said.

According to the Association, the Centre is preparing guidelines regarding the quality and safety of food in schools through the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI).

When FSSAI has invited proposals from experienced agencies, organizations and institutions in consultation with scientific panel to issue guidelines, the court should not interfere at this stage, it said.

Earlier, the court had asked the government to take effective steps to ensure that sale and supply of junk food near schools and other educational institutes is banned.