Keralam Health Minister K Muraleedharan said state will urge the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to finalise rules for identifying foods high in fat, sugar and salt.
Keralam to seek clarity from FSSAI on rules for foods high in fat, sugar, salt.
Thiruvananthapuram,Oct 20, 2026 09:49 IST
Keralam will seek clarity from the central food safety authority on rules to identify and regulate foods high in fat, sugar and salt as part of efforts to curb unhealthy eating habits among children, Health Minister K Muraleedharan said, according to news agency Press Trust of India.
The state plans to ask the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to finalise proposed regulations at the earliest. The rules would help identify junk food products and regulate or prohibit their sale on school premises, the minister said in a statement on Monday evening.
“The absence of a precise scientific definition of junk food has created uncertainty over which food products should be included in this category and how their sale should be regulated,” Muraleedharan said.
Foods high in fat, sugar and salt can be classified as HFSS products. However, clear standards are required to determine the levels at which these ingredients become excessive. The absence of such criteria has made it difficult to list these products and regulate their sale around schools, the minister told PTI.
The FSSAI published draft regulations on August 7, proposing specific limits for fat, sugar and salt in solid and liquid foods. Under the proposal, solid foods containing more than 4.2 grams of fat, three grams of sugar or 0.625 grams of salt per 100 grams would cross the respective limits.
For liquid foods, the proposed limits are more than 1.5 grams of fat, two grams of sugar or 0.175 grams of salt per 100 millilitres.
The state said the regulations must be finalised and included in the legal framework to provide a clear basis for identifying such products and restricting their sale on school premises.
Keralam is also implementing programmes to improve children's access to safe and nutritious food and encourage healthy eating habits.
The Eat Right School initiative has been introduced in 169 schools, including Model Residential Schools. It focuses on food safety, hygiene and the availability of balanced and nutritious food in school and hostel canteens.
The SNF@School programme, or Safe and Nutritious Food at School, has been implemented in 2,500 schools to provide children with practical knowledge about nutrition, Muraleedharan said.
Under the Eat Right Campus initiative, which promotes safe and nutritious food in canteens at colleges, universities, hospitals and government institutions, 456 establishments have secured certification.
The state is also inspecting establishments and taking legal action against those that violate food safety standards, the minister added.
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