Ramadoss sends SOS on 'junk' food in educational institutions

Ludhiana, June 28 (UNI) Increasing consumption of 'junk foods' and carbonated and cola drinks by school and college students seems to have finally caught the government's attention.

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Anbumani Ramados has sent a communication to Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh to take appropriate measures to check this increasing trend, in all Universities and educational institutions.

The communication, a copy of which was received in Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today, said, ''There is a world wide concern over the increasing consumption of these junk foods and drinks which provide only energy and not nutrients. This trend is not good from public health point of view as consumption of such foods can cause chronic diseases like obesity, hypertension diabetes, startle, cancer etc.'' The health minister has impressed upon the educational institutions to make people aware of the harmful effects of junk food and carbonated drinks. He has also asked the institutions to discourage the sale of such food like carbonated drinks, pizzas, burgers, hot dogs etc in college and school canteens.

The communication has also sought total ban on the consumption and sale of tobacco products, in the college and university campus.

Taking note of the communication, the PAU authorities have initiated action on the minister's advice.

UNI