Indian Union Health Minister Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss is planning to ban junk food and colas in the school canteens and nearby school premises across the country.

Dr. Ramadoss said:

Junk food and colas are not good for children’s health. Hence the sale of such products should be ban within the school premises.

The health ministry is discussing with the Union Human Resources Development Ministry on how to implement the ban in government schools if not the private. A massive campaign making children aware of this will be launched.

However, the health ministry has called for a meeting with the state health ministers and representatives next week to discuss the matter, keeping in mind that banning these products is not an easy task. The ministry is also considering some legal aspects in this regard.

After a function Dr. Ramadoss said:

I want to ban it but there may be some legal hindrances in having a blanket ban. Hence, initially we may even think of having fines and penalties for the schools.

In India, large number of schools has tied up with fast food chains in order to sell junk food and colas in their swanky canteens. At least one-third of today’s children consume junk food more than thrice a week.

According to Dr. Anoop Misra, Director and Head of the Diabetes and Metabolism Department, Fortis group of Hospitals, ‘Ninety-five per cent of Indians suffer from type 2 diabetes, a life-style disease, and five per cent suffer from type 1diabetes. Junk food is one of the biggest reasons for diabetes.’

These are startling figures and when we’re not oblivious of the ill-effects of junk foods, including, chronic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, cancer and much more, the step should have been taken long back. However, the story doesn’t ends here, it’s just a beginning, and hopefully a positive one, because banning junk food in schools only won’t solve the problem, we’ll have to make efforts to encourage kids not to fall in trap of these foods and change eating habits. There is a long way to go...!

Via: DNA INDIA