Maharashtra’s new regulations extend beyond canteens to the entire school campus, banning high-fat, salt, and sugar foods and promoting healthier eating habits amid stricter enforcement and awareness campaigns.
Maharashtra has moved to tighten control over school food environments, with the state’s Food and Drug Administration issuing new rules that ban the sale, display and promotion of junk food in schools and extend enforcement beyond the canteen to the wider campus and nearby area. According to the Live Nagpur, the order covers foods high in fat, salt and sugar, including chips, fried snacks, chocolates, confectionery and carbonated drinks, and applies to government, aided and private schools affiliated to the state board, CBSE and ICSE, as well as residential schools and hostels. The rules do not apply to crèches and day-care centres for children below 22 months.
The new framework builds on earlier action in the state. NDTV reported that Maharashtra barred HFSS foods in school canteens in 2017, while schools were encouraged to offer healthier options such as wheat roti, vegetable pulav and idli-vada. More recently, the state widened its focus to energy drinks, with multiple outlets reporting in July 2026 that officials announced a ban on the sale of high-caffeine beverages such as Sting within 500 metres of schools.
Under the latest regulations, schools must serve meals aligned with the National Institute of Nutrition’s dietary guidance and ensure that menus include fruit, vegetables, whole grains, pulses and dairy. Institutions are also being told to provide clean drinking water, maintain kitchen hygiene and follow safe food-handling practices. The FDA has made school managements directly responsible for compliance, requiring FSSAI registration or a licence where applicable, the appointment of a trained health and wellness ambassador or nodal officer, and the display of awareness boards discouraging unhealthy eating.
Enforcement is intended to reach beyond school gates. The order asks institutions to report unauthorised junk-food sales within 50 metres of their premises, while food safety officers are to inspect schools twice a year and collect samples annually. The state has also linked compliance to affiliation and renewal of recognition, and has launched an awareness drive under the slogan “Safe Food. Healthy Childhood. Capable Maharashtra.” The campaign comes with requirements for every school to draw up a nutrition policy, hold at least four awareness sessions a year and develop a healthier canteen model. Officials said violators could face notices, seizure of stock, licence action or prosecution. The FDA says it has already trained 4,919 teachers from 3,567 schools through 42 workshops to prepare for implementation.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
