Punjab child rights panel bans junk food in schools

Chandigarh, July 14 (IANS) The Punjab Child Rights Commission has ordered a complete ban on serving junk food in schools in the state, its chief said here on Thursday.

The commission has constituted various committees to monitor the ban across the state.

Commission chairman Sukesh Kalia said that the ban has been imposed following concerns over deterioration in the health of school children, who were suffering health issues after consuming unhealthy and unhygienic junk food.

"Such type of food is a direct threat to health of the children, leading to hypertension, diabetes, obesity and mental stress," he said.

He said that it is required that undertaking be sought from all private schools, declaring that they were not serving junk food or food high in fat, salt, sugar(HFSS).