FSSAI Proposes New School Food Rules: Check Threshold Limits for Fat, Sugar and Salt
The FSSAI has proposed draft regulations setting strict nutritional thresholds for food sold in and around schools. Under these ICMR-aligned rules, items exceeding specific limits for added fat, sugar, or sodium will be restricted. Stakeholders have 60 days to submit feedback. Scroll below to know more.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced a draft notification aimed at strictly regulating the nutritional content of food items sold in and around school campuses. The proposed amendments set definitive quantitative benchmarks to classify products as "high in added fat, added sugar, or sodium," aligning school food standards with national health guidelines.
According to a notification published in the Gazette of India this Sunday, the draft, titled the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Amendment Regulations, 2026, seeks to update existing 2020 protocols governing school-based food environments, reports NDTV Profit. Why Maharashtra Hotels Are Engaging Former FDA & FSSAI Officials Amid Tukaram Mundhe's Crackdown.
New Quantitative Benchmarks
The proposed regulation introduces specific nutrient limits designed to curb the consumption of unhealthy processed foods by students. These benchmarks are aligned with the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) Dietary Guidelines for Indians-2024. Under the new draft, food items will be flagged as "high" in specific categories if they exceed the following limits:
| Nutrient | Solid Food (per 100g) | Liquid Food (per 100ml) |
| Added Fat | > 4.2 grams | > 1.5 grams |
| Added Sugar | > 3 grams | > 2 grams |
| Sodium (Salt) | > 0.625 grams | > 0.175 grams |
The regulation proposes inserting these figures into a new provision - Regulation 7 - positioned immediately after the existing mandates on monitoring and surveillance. Tukaram Mundhe-Led Maharashtra FDA Suspends Blinkit's Malad Warehouse Licence; Know the Reason.
Regulatory Framework and Next Steps
The notification was issued by FSSAI Chief Executive Officer Rajit Punhani under the authority granted by Section 92 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, following approval from the Central government. The FSSAI has now opened the floor for public and stakeholder consultation, as mandated by law. Interested parties have 60 days from the date of the gazette publication to submit objections or suggestions regarding the proposed thresholds.
Submission Details:
- By Mail: CEO, FSSAI, FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi – 110002.
- By Email: regulation@fssai.gov.in
The regulator has confirmed that all feedback received within this 60-day window will be "duly considered" before the final regulations are formally notified and implemented. This move follows ongoing efforts by the apex food safety body to improve the dietary quality of packaged foods available to children, a segment identified as vulnerable to the long-term health impacts of high-sugar and high-sodium diets.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 11, 2026 12:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).