Maharashtra schools to get new food standards; FDA warns against 'energy drinks'

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will issue a fresh order in the coming days to tighten enforcement against sale of prohibited items near schools and also roll out food standards for educational institutions, FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said here on Friday. He also urged parents to discourage children from consuming so-called "energy drinks" and make them aware of the potential health concerns.

"I will issue a detailed order about prohibited items like gutkha and cigarettes being sold near schools in the coming days. Along with the FDA, it is also the responsibility of school principals to ensure such prohibited items are not sold within a 500-metre radius. I also appeal to parents to sensitise their children not to consume so-called energy drinks," Mundhe told reporters.

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He said the FDA would also issue food standards for schools within the next eight to ten days, covering quality, nutrition standards and recommended diets for students. Mundhe said assistant commissioner-rank FDA officers have been directed to participate in teacher training programmes being conducted by the school education department across districts to educate teachers about food safety regulations and the kinds of food permitted and prohibited on school premises. Referring to a June 30 order issued by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Mundhe said companies can no longer market their beverages as "energy drinks" as no such food category exists under the regulator's classification.

He said companies, including PepsiCo and Red Bull, have been informed not to use the term "energy drink" on their products in accordance with the FSSAI directive that has recently come into effect. There are some 10-12 companies in the country that have been issued notices by the FSSAI asking them not to describe their products as "energy drink", he said. Mundhe said such beverages are not recommended for persons below 18 years of age or pregnant women.

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While there is no ban on their sale or consumption, parents should make children aware of the potential health concerns, he added. The minister also said the FDA has recommended 25 reforms to strengthen food safety enforcement by tracing adulteration to its source instead of merely testing samples and initiating action. He said there is no ban on the sale of raw milk, but vendors must comply with all prescribed norms and regulations. Mundhe said the FDA has introduced improved laboratory management practices at its three testing facilities to prioritise samples of prohibited food items, milk and milk products. Test reports for food samples are now generated in less than 14 days, and the department aims to clear all pending samples by the first week of August before taking action based on the findings, he said.