Junk Food Banned In Colleges: UGC

The harmful effects that junk food has on the body is very well documented and known to a majority of the people. This, however, hasn’t stopped the rampant consumption of junk food, especially among youngsters. As a measure to try and reduce its consumption, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a notice to the vice-chancellors of all universities, directing them to ban junk food in college premises.

Setting new standards

The UGC had issued an advisory in November 2016 for banning junk food in colleges to ‘set new standards for healthy food and reduce obesity levels in young learners’, and this announcement comes as a reminder of it.

In the advisory, UGC had stated that banning junk food in colleges would set new standards for healthy food habits, and will also subsequently instill a sense of healthy eating and awareness about the same.

Sensitizing students

UGC Secretary Rajnish Jain, while speaking to the publication, noted that although the directive was not compulsory, it was expected that the colleges would comply with the guidelines and help create awareness regarding the ill effects of junk food and the impact of its consumption, especially among the country’s youth.

“UGC, in the interest of the health of all the students of the universities and colleges, issued an advisory on August 21, which is a reinforcement of an earlier advisory issued on November 10, 2016, where we asked them to sensitize students about the ill effects of junk food and to adopt healthy food practices. It’s not mandatory, but we expect all the universities and colleges to follow it,” said Mr. Jain to the publication.