What Items Are Banned Under Maharashtra FDA’s School Junk Food Rules? Check Full List

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a statewide ban on the sale, distribution and advertisement of high-fat, sugary and deep-fried food items inside school premises and within a 50-metre radius of schools. Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Munde said the move aims to promote healthier eating habits among students, adding that school principals and managements will be held responsible for ensuring compliance.

The announcement comes as the state FDA steps up food safety enforcement across the state. Officials said inspections will begin soon, and schools found violating the directive could face action. The department also plans to conduct awareness workshops for school authorities at the district and taluka levels. Vada Pav, Samosa, Cold Drinks and Chocolates Banned in and Around Maharashtra Schools.

What Items Are Banned?

Explaining the scope of the directive, Tukaram Munde said several commonly consumed junk food items will no longer be allowed to be sold, distributed or advertised in and around schools.

"I want to make it clear that excess fat, excess trans fat and excess sugar products, including deeply fried foods, excessive sugar drinks, vada pav, samosa, cold drinks, chocolates and ice cream, such junk foods are strictly not allowed inside schools to be sold, not be distributed freely, advertise and also not in the surrounding (50 metres range). Principal and School Management should implement this strictly, and there should also be awareness about it among parents," he said. Maharashtra FDA Suspends Licences of These 5 Clubs in Mumbai Over Food Safety Violations; Check Names Here.

Schools Face Accountability

The FDA has placed the responsibility for enforcing the ban on school authorities.

"We will start inspections across the State soon. FDA along with School Management will be happy to take a workshop at District level and Taluka level to implement it smoothly," Munde said.

He added that action would be taken against principals and school managements that fail to comply with the new rules.

Commissioner Also Addresses MPSC Examination Complaint

During the briefing, Munde also responded to questions regarding an alleged Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) paper leak related to the Food and Drug Inspector examination.

"We received an email from an individual on the 21st. We recorded the person's statement on the 24th. MPSC is an independent body, and it conducts the Food and Drug Inspector examination. We have forwarded the statement and all the documents we received to the MPSC," he said.

FDA Continues Crackdown on Food Safety Violations

The latest directive follows recent action by the Maharashtra FDA against food businesses over hygiene violations.

Earlier this month, the department suspended the food licences of three eateries in Mumbai after inspections found serious lapses in food safety standards. According to the FDA, six inspections were conducted in Bhendi Bazaar and Umarkhadi, resulting in the suspension of three licences.

During one re-inspection, officials found wet and slippery kitchen floors, missing records related to raw material procurement, no documentation of drinking water quality testing, inadequate records on cooking oil quality, improper segregation of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, and open windows without insect-proof screens, increasing the risk of pest entry.

The FDA said the latest school food restrictions form part of its broader efforts to strengthen food safety standards and encourage healthier food environments across Maharashtra.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2026 10:22 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).