📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Education
Education
Letter Calls for Ban on Junk Food Sales Within 100m of Schools, Urges SOP from Education Minister
✍️ Bhaskar English
🗓 16 Aug 2026, 02:05 PM
👁 1
A letter has been sent to the Education Minister demanding that junk food vendors be prohibited within 100 meters of schools and requesting the formulation of a strict standard operating procedure.
A formal letter addressed to the Education Minister has called for an immediate ban on the sale of junk food within a 100‑meter radius of all schools across the country. The letter, signed by a coalition of health advocates and parent‑teacher associations, argues that proximity to schools encourages unhealthy eating habits among children.
The authors of the letter request that the Ministry of Education draft a stringent standard operating procedure (SOP) that would prohibit vendors from operating within the specified distance and enforce penalties for non‑compliance. They also seek guidelines for monitoring and reporting violations.
The demand comes amid growing concerns about childhood obesity and diet‑related health issues. Experts point out that limiting access to high‑calorie, low‑nutritious foods near schools could improve dietary choices and support school nutrition programs.
The Education Ministry has not yet responded to the letter, but officials are reportedly reviewing the proposal. If adopted, the SOP would set a precedent for similar regulations in other public spaces.
The letter has sparked debate among stakeholders, with some school administrators welcoming the move and others cautioning about enforcement challenges and potential economic impact on local vendors.
The authors of the letter request that the Ministry of Education draft a stringent standard operating procedure (SOP) that would prohibit vendors from operating within the specified distance and enforce penalties for non‑compliance. They also seek guidelines for monitoring and reporting violations.
The demand comes amid growing concerns about childhood obesity and diet‑related health issues. Experts point out that limiting access to high‑calorie, low‑nutritious foods near schools could improve dietary choices and support school nutrition programs.
The Education Ministry has not yet responded to the letter, but officials are reportedly reviewing the proposal. If adopted, the SOP would set a precedent for similar regulations in other public spaces.
The letter has sparked debate among stakeholders, with some school administrators welcoming the move and others cautioning about enforcement challenges and potential economic impact on local vendors.