Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has banned the use of refined sugar in meals provided under the PM POSHAN scheme. District Education Officers (DEOs) have been instructed to ensure that jaggery is used instead of sugar, and only if necessary.
The directive said said, “Refined sugar must not be used in any form in the preparation of meals under the PM POSHAN. Addition of jaggery should also be limited to less than 5 per cent of the total energy content to prevent excess intake of discretionary calorie.”
The move follows recommendations from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and guidance from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, which had advised reducing sugar in food and drink served to children, citing health risks linked to high sugar intake, reported The New Indian Express.
Along with sugar restrictions, the state has also ordered that salt usage in school meals be kept to a minimum. Schools must avoid foods that are high in fat, salt, and sugar, in line with dietary guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and national standards.
Strict rules have also been set for the preparation of meals served under the PM POSHAN scheme, including hot cooked food, supplementary nutrition, and Tithi Bhojan offerings. “Sweet dishes should be limited across all types of meals. All ingredients used must be safe and follow the standards laid out in the Food Safety and Standards Regulations (FSSR), 2011 and its updates,” the advisory stated.
For meals served under the Sishu Vatika initiative, whether cooked or as part of supplementary nutrition, the use of preservatives, artificial colours, synthetic additives, or flavours has been strictly banned. These meals must follow the updated FSSR 2020 norms, and only approved emulsifiers are permitted.
The government has also cracked down on the sale of energy drinks near schools. Selling such drinks is now banned within 100 metres of rural schools and 50 metres of urban schools.
The new measures are part of the government’s broader effort to create a healthier food environment for children and reduce the risk of lifestyle-related health issues at an early age.
