FSSAI proposes limits on high fat, sugar and salt foods in schools

What children eat at school could soon come under closer scrutiny. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has proposed specific limits for high fat, high sugar and high salt (HFSS) foods in schools. The proposed standards set different limits for solid and liquid foods, based on the amount of added fat, added sugar and salt they contain.

Under the proposal, foods crossing these limits would be classified as high fat, high sugar or high salt. FSSAI has invited stakeholders to submit their objections and suggestions within 60 days, making this an important step in discussions about school food and childhood obesity.

For solid foods, the proposed limits are based on every 100 grams of food.

This means a solid food containing more than 4.2 grams of added fat per 100 grams would be classified as



high fat. Similarly, more than 3 grams of added sugar would qualify as high sugar, while more than 0.625 grams of salt would make it high salt.

For liquid foods, the proposed thresholds are calculated per 100 ml.

So, drinks and other liquid foods would also be assessed for their added fat, added sugar and salt content under the proposed FSSAI school food guidelines.

The limits are part of a proposal and are not final yet. FSSAI has asked all stakeholders to submit their objections and suggestions within 60 days. The feedback will be considered as the process moves forward.

The move puts the spotlight on what is served and sold in schools, particularly foods that are high in fat, sugar and salt. It also adds to the wider conversation around healthier school food and childhood obesity.