Keralam seeks FSSAI clarity on high fat, sugar, salt food

HFSS means “High Fat, Sugar and Salt” food. It describes foods containing high amounts of these nutrients, but “junk food” has no precise scientific definition. For children, frequent intake can crowd out balanced foods. It can also add excess calories, raising risks such as unhealthy weight gain, tooth decay, and high blood pressure.

For example, FSSAI’s August 7, 2026 draft calls solid food high if it exceeds 4.2 grams of fat, 3 grams of sugar, or 0.625 grams of salt per 100 grams. These limits help identify products consistently. High sugar can promote tooth decay, while excess salt and calories can harm health over time.

The legal position is not settled yet. Keralam says final rules are needed before it can clearly list HFSS foods or restrict sales near schools. Meanwhile, Eat Right School operates in 169 schools, and SNF@School reaches 2,500. The goal is healthier choices, safer canteens, and less routine access to these foods.

The FSSAI draft regulation proposes numerical cutoffs for foods high in fat, sugar, or salt. This matters because clear thresholds could help States regulate these foods near schools.

For example, a 100-gram solid snack with 4.3 grams of fat would cross the proposed fat threshold. The same rule sets sugar above 3 grams or salt above 0.625 grams per 100 grams. For liquids, the proposed fat limit is over 1.5 grams per 100 millilitres. Sugar and salt limits are over 2 grams and 0.175 grams, respectively, per 100 millilitres.

Published on August 7, 2026, the draft has not yet become a statutory rule. Kerala says final rules are needed before States can confidently list or restrict these foods near schools. The State plans to ask FSSAI to finalise the criteria quickly.

These programmes bring safer, healthier food into educational and public institutions. They address children’s unhealthy eating by improving food choices, hygiene, and food safety, rather than relying only on restrictions.

In Keralam, Eat Right School had reached 169 schools. It supports balanced, nutritious food and healthier habits, while work also targets canteen hygiene and food-safety standards. The nationwide SNF@School programme had reached 2,500 schools, building a culture of safe, healthy, wholesome eating.

Eat Right Campus had certified 456 institutions, including colleges, universities, hospitals, and government institutions. Together, these figures represent 3,125 reported programme placements. However, the article does not establish whether locations overlap, so 3,125 should not be treated as a confirmed count of unique schools and institutions. The figures show broad implementation, but continued inspections and legal action remain important for enforcing standards.

Keralam cannot clearly decide which foods to restrict until HFSS means the same thing legally. “Junk food” has no precise scientific definition, so officials lack agreed limits for fat, sugar, and salt. FSSAI’s final criteria would give the State a lawful basis to identify products and regulate sales near schools.

For example, the August 7, 2026 draft treats solid food as high in fat above 4.2 grams per 100 grams. It also sets high levels above 3 grams of sugar or 0.625 grams of salt per 100 grams. These thresholds show how final rules could create a consistent list and support bans or restrictions near schools.

Until the draft becomes statutory, Keralam says its legal authority remains unclear. The State will ask FSSAI to finalise the criteria quickly, while continuing its Eat Right School programme. That programme covers 169 schools, while SNF@School reaches 2,500; 456 institutions also hold Eat Right Campus certification.

Once the HFSS rules become statutory, States would have clear legal authority to identify foods high in fat, sugar, or salt. Keralam could then prepare an official list and ban or restrict those products near schools, giving canteens and nearby shops definite rules to follow.

For example, the FSSAI draft says solid food is “high” above 4.2 grams of fat, 3 grams of sugar, or 0.625 grams of salt per 100 grams. Liquid food would use thresholds of 1.5, 2, and 0.175 grams per 100 millilitres. These limits would help officials decide which items require removal or sales restrictions.

For now, the draft is not yet statutory, so unclear definitions still hamper regulation near schools. Keralam plans to ask FSSAI to finalize it quickly. Meanwhile, Eat Right School reaches 169 schools, while SNF@School covers 2,500 nationwide; inspections and penalties continue.

Beyond restricting HFSS sales, Keralam is improving diets through school food programmes, safer canteens, hygiene checks, and enforcement. The aim is to make nutritious choices easier while building lasting healthy eating habits. Eat Right School covers safe, balanced food and nutrition education.

For example, it operates in 169 schools and Model Residential Schools. It supports hygiene, food safety standards, and nutritious canteen food. The nationwide SNF@School programme has reached 2,500 schools. These programmes improve what schools serve and teach children healthier habits.

The Eat Right Campus programme extends similar protections to college, university, hospital, and government canteens. A total of 456 institutions have received certification. Officials also conduct regular inspections and take legal action against food-safety violations. These measures can improve daily meals while HFSS rules await finalisation.

The article focuses on regulation; established nutrition knowledge explains the body effects. Fat supports energy storage and cells, sugar supplies quick energy, and salt helps nerves and fluid balance. Regular excess, especially in processed foods, can promote weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.

For example, frequent sugary drinks can repeatedly raise blood sugar, while their calories add up quickly. Extra salt makes the body retain water, increasing pressure on blood vessels; excess unhealthy fat can worsen cholesterol levels. The FSSAI draft sets solid-food thresholds at 4.2 grams fat, 3 grams sugar, or 0.625 grams salt per 100 grams.

Currently, unclear legal definitions make it difficult to regulate such foods near schools. Keralam is seeking final criteria from FSSAI and has implemented Eat Right School in 169 schools. SNF@School covers 2,500 schools, while 456 institutions have Eat Right Campus certification, supporting healthier choices as children grow.