Kerala Seeks Regulatory Clarity on HFSS Food Standards from FSSAI
State government pushes for finalized HFSS definitions to restrict junk food near schools.
1Regulatory Ambiguity Hinders Enforcement
The Kerala government is seeking urgent clarification from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India regarding the definition of HFSS food. Currently, the lack of a precise scientific classification for junk food prevents state authorities from effectively regulating sales or establishing clear legal boundaries for food safety enforcement near schools.
2Proposed Thresholds for HFSS
An FSSAI draft regulation published on August 7, 2026, suggests specific nutritional limits. Solid foods exceeding 4.2g of fat, 3g of sugar, or 0.625g of salt per 100g are categorized as high. Liquid thresholds are set at 1.5g of fat, 2g of sugar, and 0.175g of salt per 100ml for these classifications.
3Legal Standing for State Action
Health Minister K. Muraleedharan emphasized that state-level restrictions cannot be legally enforced until these draft regulations are finalized into statutory rules. Once incorporated, Kerala intends to use these criteria to create a formal list of restricted food items and implement bans on their sale within the immediate vicinity of educational institutions.
4Eat Right School Initiative
Kerala is actively promoting the Eat Right School programme to foster healthier dietary habits among students. This initiative focuses on ensuring balanced nutrition and hygiene standards in school canteens. Currently, the program has been successfully implemented in 169 schools, alongside broader efforts to improve food safety standards in various hostel facilities.
5Nationwide SNF@School Integration
The SNF@School initiative, a broader nationwide effort launched by the FSSAI, aims to cultivate a culture of safe and nutritious consumption among children. This program has reached 2,500 schools across the country. It complements state-specific efforts by providing a standardized framework for food safety education and healthy eating practices in schools.
6Expanding Eat Right Campus
Beyond primary and secondary education, the Eat Right Campus programme extends safety and nutritional oversight to colleges, universities, and hospitals. To date, 456 institutions have received formal certification under this initiative. This ensures that canteens in diverse public and private sectors maintain consistent hygiene and nutritional quality standards for all consumers.
7Ongoing Enforcement and Inspections
The state government continues to conduct regular inspections to monitor compliance with existing food safety standards. Legal measures are being actively pursued against vendors found violating these regulations. These enforcement actions serve as a temporary bridge while the government awaits the finalization of the national HFSS criteria from the central authority.
8Strategic Importance of Standardization
Finalizing these definitions is critical for public health policy in Kerala. By establishing clear upper limits for fat, sugar, and salt, the government aims to create a sustainable regulatory environment. This shift will allow for more targeted interventions, effectively reducing the availability of unhealthy food options for children in educational settings.