29 July,2026 08:26 PM IST | Mumbai | Anushree Gaikwad
Maharashtra Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Wednesday said officials will hold schools accountable for violating nutrition norms. PIC/ANUSHREE GAIKWAD
Maharashtra's crackdown on unhealthy food in schools is set to go beyond canteens, with schools distributing chocolates during birthdays or serving snacks such as samosas, vada pav, and laddoos during celebrations now coming under the FDA's scanner. Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe on Wednesday said officials will hold schools accountable for violating nutrition norms.
The move comes as Maharashtra begins strict enforcement of its school food safety regulations, with inspections scheduled to start in the coming days. The FDA has made it clear that violations will not be limited to school canteens but will include any practice that breaches the state's nutrition norms.
Responding to questions from reporters, Mundhe said, "Yes, we will hold people accountable for this as well. A healthy diet from a young age helps prevent non-communicable diseases such as obesity and diabetes."
He added that the responsibility for ensuring compliance rests with school managements, principals, teachers, and even parents.
"If we find that these regulations are being violated, principals, teachers, and parents will also be held accountable. It is their responsibility to ensure that children consume healthy food," he said.
Mundhe said FDA officials will conduct at least two inspections every year in schools to check compliance with food safety norms.
"The inspections will begin within the next few days. The implementation of these rules is the responsibility of school managements, principals, and teachers. If violations are found, action will be taken against the school management. Deep-fried, sugary, and trans-fat-rich food items are strictly prohibited," he said.
Mundhe advised schools to stop distributing foods such as samosas, vada pav, laddoos, and chocolates during celebrations, including Independence Day, Diwali, and birthday events, and instead promote healthier alternatives.
"I advise school managements and principals to take these regulations seriously and ensure that unhealthy, fatty, caffeinated, and foods high in saturated fat are not sold within school premises or within a 50-metre radius of the campus," he warned.
"We should cultivate healthy eating habits in schools so that they become a part of society. This will contribute to the physical, mental, and intellectual development of children," he added.
In an appeal to parents, Mundhe urged them to discourage children from consuming unhealthy food.
"I request parents to prevent their children from eating unhealthy food items so that they remain protected from diseases such as diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and other lifestyle-related illnesses," he said.
Munde said education boards have already been instructed to communicate the regulations to all affiliated schools.
"We have informed the boards to communicate these norms to their affiliated schools. If any institution is found repeatedly violating the regulations, action can also be initiated regarding its affiliation," he warned.
