UGC directs universities and higher education institutions to ban sale of junk food on their campuses

University Grants Commission (UGC) issued circular directing all varsities and higher education institutions to ban sale of junk food on their campuses. This ban will help will set new standards for healthy food, making students live better, learn better and reduce obesity levels. It will also help to prevent lifestyle diseases which have direct link with excessive weight.

Key Facts

The circular was issued after a directive from the HRD ministry, asking the UGC to ban the sale of junk food on premises of higher education institutions. Similar move was made earlier by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) which had directed all affiliated schools to take junk food off their canteen menu. Moreover, schools were also asked to inspect lunch boxes of students, create awareness about nutritious food and regularly monitor students’ health. The directive was released following report by Ministry of Women and Child Development (MCB) on consumption of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) and promotion of healthy snacks in schools.

University Grants Commission (UGC)

UGC is statutory body set up by Union government in accordance to UGC Act 1956. It functions under Ministry of Human Resource Development. It is mandated to initiate important decisions and dialogues which have important bearing on the entire student population of the country. The three primary functions of UGC include overseeing distribution of grants to universities and colleges in India, providing scholarships and fellowships to beneficiaries and monitoring conformity to its regulations by universities and colleges.

Month: Current Affairs - August, 2018