Report

The Tamil Nadu Food Safety Department will soon install ‘oil, sugar, and salt’ awareness boards in all educational institutions across Coimbatore to promote healthy eating habits and raise food safety awareness among students.

About the Initiative

Officials launched a campaign to tackle the growing problem of childhood obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The board aims to educate students about the harmful effects of high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt diets. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), developed these boards. They will display informative posters and digital content explaining recommended daily intake levels of sugar, salt, and oil. The content will also describe how excess consumption increases the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. To make the information engaging for children, the boards will feature colourful illustrations and cartoons. Officials believe this visual approach will help students easily understand food safety and nutrition concepts.

Implementation in Schools

The Union Health Ministry and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) instructed all affiliated schools to set up these boards. Acting on these directions, Coimbatore District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar ordered an immediate rollout in the district’s schools. Dr. T. Anuradha, Designated Officer of the Food Safety Department, said, “High-fat, sugar, or salt (HFSS) foods are a major cause of obesity and other non-communicable diseases. This initiative will help students understand the risks and choose healthier food options.” Food Safety Officers (FSOs) in each taluk will oversee the board installation and conduct regular awareness sessions. They will also monitor school canteens to ensure compliance with food safety standards.

Promoting Healthy Eating

FSSAI has suggested a model for healthy meals to replace oily, salty, or sugary foods often served in public institutions. The campaign runs under the social media tagline ‘Stop Obesity and Eat Right India’ and will launch in Coimbatore schools this week.

Source: MSN.com