Fight against junk food reaches Delhi HC

Whenever five-year-old Ayan Yusuf goes to his school, he lays his hands on a packet of chips at a nearby shop. Ayan is addicted to junk food. But he is not the only child in Delhi to do so. Like him, there are thousands of school-going children hooked to junk food.

This may, however, come to an end as the Delhi High Court is hearing a petition filed by an NGO to ban junk food in and within a 1, 500 feet radius of schools.

In the petition, the NGO that works for welfare of children has appealed for a ban on junk food and carbonated drinks within schools.

Hearing the petition on December 21, the court asked the lawyer representing the food processing industry and the Union government to reply on the matter till January 11. Rahul Verma, founder of a Delhi-based NGO, Uday Foundation, tells TSI: "We are happy with the turn of events. Things are going in the right direction."

The demand for the ban is gaining momentum with a group of 10 students of Father Agnel School turning up at the Delhi High Court today. They presented a memorandum and post cards with suggestions on healthy food options in schools to the judge during hearing of petition on junk food ban in schools.

Health experts too are happy with the development. They strongly recommend healthy food habits. HOD medicine Al-Shifa multi-speciality hospital, Dr Z. Haque, told TSI: "Junk food is high fat diet and should be avoided. Chances of obesity are high among children who are obsessed with junk food. Its excessive use can lead to abdominal abnormalities and other diseases. The use of preservative is highly harmful."

When asked how to discourage children from eating junk food, Dr Haque said awareness should be created among people about healthy food habits. "Avoiding junk food is a big challenge but it can be achieved if parents and schools come forward to play an important role by imparting knowledge about nutrition."

Principal, Agnel School, New Delhi, Father J A Carvalho said: "Children should be educated about the importance and nutritious features of traditional Indian foods like rice and wheat."