New Delhi. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed a major change regarding the food of school going children. Now a food item will be categorized as high not just on its name but on the basis of the amount of added salt, sugar and fat present in it.
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FSSAI has issued draft new rules for this in August 2026. In this, for the first time, an attempt has been made to clarify what quantity of food items provided to children in schools or sold around the school premises will be considered excessive.
At what quantity is food considered high?
According to the proposal, if a solid food item contains more than 4.2 grams of added fat per 100 grams, it will be considered high fat. Similarly, if there is more than 3 grams of added sugar in 100 grams, it will fall in the high sugar category.
A limit has also been set for salt. If there is more than 0.625 grams of salt in 100 grams of solid food, it will be considered as high salt. These limits are set aside for liquids. These standards have been proposed on the basis of ICMR's 2024 Dietary Guidelines.
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Restrictions around schools are in effect from 2020
Actually, a provision was made in the rules of 2020 to keep children away from foods high in fat, salt and sugar in schools. There is a provision to ban the sale of such food items in school canteen, mess, hostel kitchen and within 50 meters of the school premises. Rules have also been made regarding promotion of such products around schools.
However, there is no automatic ban on every product like chips, biscuits, namkeen or cold drinks in this draft. The real question would be whether the product in question is above the prescribed nutritional limits or not.
Right now these changes are at the proposal stage. FSSAI has invited objections and suggestions from the people and concerned parties till October 9, 2026. After this, the final rules will be implemented only after the process is completed.