The Maharashtra government on Friday announced a ban on the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks within a 500-metre radius of schools across the state, citing growing concerns over their consumption by children and adolescents.
The announcement was made in the State Legislative Assembly by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Narhari Zirwal in response to concerns raised by BJP MLA Vikram Pachpute regarding the widespread sale of energy drinks, including popular brands such as Sting, near educational institutions.
Raising the issue in the Assembly, Pachpute argued that although such beverages comply with existing manufacturing regulations, they are increasingly consumed by school-going children despite product labels warning that they are not recommended for children and pregnant women.
“The bottles themselves carry a warning stating that the drink is not suitable for children and pregnant women. Yet, it is being freely sold right outside school premises,” Pachpute said, urging the government to prohibit their sale near schools.
Responding to the concerns, Zirwal acknowledged that high-caffeine beverages are widely available around educational institutions and announced that the government would strictly enforce a 500-metre no-sale zone around schools for such products.
The minister said the state has already issued administrative circulars directing officials to inspect vendors operating within 500 metres of educational institutions, collect food samples for laboratory testing and take action against misleading advertisements or products found to violate food safety norms.
The issue was broadened during the debate when BJP MLA Rahul Kul called for stronger action against substance abuse and food adulteration around schools. He alleged that narcotics were being sold under the guise of flavoured betel products and also raised concerns over flavoured milk products containing excessive sugar and artificial additives.
Zirwal informed the House that the Food and Drug Administration is conducting a high-level investigation into such products as part of a wider drive to improve food safety around schools.
The government clarified that while the term “energy drinks” is not specifically defined under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, these products are regulated as Non-Alcoholic Caffeinated Beverages under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.
The announcement comes amid an intensified enforcement campaign led by newly appointed FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, who has launched statewide action against banned gutkha, pan masala and food safety violations. As part of the drive, the FDA has recently suspended the food safety licences of six hotels, restaurants, bakeries and clubs in Mumbai for violating food safety norms.
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