UGC urges institutions to prohibit sales of unhealthy food, promote healthy eating

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a notice urging higher education institutions to address the rising prevalence of obesity, diabetes and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by prohibiting the sale of unhealthy foos on campus and promoting healthier options in canteens.

Citing alarming statistics from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) 2020-2023 report, which reveals that one in four individuals in India is either obese or diabetic, pre-diabetic, the UGC emphasizes the critical importance of good health for the nation.

In response to these health challenges, the National Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPI), a national think tank on nutrition comprising experts from various disciplines such as epidemiology, human nutrition, community nutrition and paediatrics, medical education, administration, social work, and management, has requested to prohibit sales of unhealthy foods in educational institutions and promote healthy food options in canteens.

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Promoting healthy food options in institutions

"Concerned over the rising obesity, diabetes and other Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), to build a case for accelerated implementation of the National multi-sectoral Plan of Action (NMAP) for Prevention and Control of common NCDs (2017-2022), NAPI has requested to prohibit sales of unhealthy foods in educational institutions and promote healthy food options in canteens," read the official notice.

Prohibit unhealthy food in universities

Highlighting its previous advisories dating back to November 2016 and August 2018, the UGC urges HEIs to enforce strict regulations prohibiting the sale of unhealthy foods on campus premises. In its previous advisories, the UGC outlined several proactive measures for universities to promote student health and combat the consumption of unhealthy foods. Universities were directed to sensitize students about the adverse effects of junk food and markers like body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio to raise awareness about health issues.