Punjab Bans Energy Drinks and Cotton Candy: 5 Major School Food Rules
The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has introduced new food safety regulations for educational institutions across Punjab, prohibiting the sale of energy drinks, cotton candy and several other products in school, college and university canteens. The new rules aim to improve food quality, promote healthier eating habits and make nutritious options more accessible to students.
Under the regulations, carbonated drinks, artificially flavoured beverages, products containing Chinese salt (monosodium glutamate or MSG), gola ganda, tobacco products and vapes have also been prohibited in educational institutions. The rules extend beyond campus boundaries, covering food businesses operating within a 100-metre radius of educational institutions.
Punjab Bans Energy Drinks and Cotton Candy Under New Rules
The new regulations introduce restrictions on food and beverages considered unsuitable for educational settings. By limiting access to selected products, the Punjab Food Authority aims to encourage students to make healthier dietary choices during school and college hours.
The prohibited items include:
- Energy drinks and carbonated beverages: Their sale is prohibited in educational institutions.
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- Artificially flavoured drinks: These beverages are included in the restrictions.
- Cotton candy and gola ganda: Both popular sweet treats have been declared prohibited.
- Products containing Chinese salt: Food items containing monosodium glutamate (MSG) are covered by the rules.
- Tobacco products and vapes: Their sale is also prohibited in educational institutions.
These restrictions apply to schools, colleges, universities and other educational institutions across Punjab. Food businesses operating within the designated 100-metre radius must also comply with the applicable requirements.
Punjab Food Authority Introduces Green, Yellow and Red Food Categories
Alongside the restrictions, the Punjab Food Authority has introduced a three-category food classification system to help educational institutions organise their canteen menus and prioritise healthier choices.
Green Category: Healthier Food Choices
The green category covers nutrient-rich and healthier food items. These products will receive priority placement on canteen menus, encouraging students to choose more nutritious options.
Yellow Category: Secondary Menu Options
Yellow-category foods will be listed after green-category items. This arrangement establishes a menu hierarchy that gives healthier options greater prominence while distinguishing them from other permitted choices.
Red Category: Prohibited Food Items
Foods placed in the red category will not be allowed in canteens, cafeterias or mess facilities at educational institutions. This classification provides a clear framework for identifying items that cannot be sold under the new rules.
The system is designed to help institutions apply the food guidelines consistently and make healthier options more accessible to students.
How the New School Canteen Rules Affect Educational Institutions
The regulations place greater responsibility on educational institutions and nearby food businesses to ensure compliance with the Punjab Food Authority’s requirements.
Schools, colleges and universities will need to ensure that their canteens, cafeterias and mess facilities follow the applicable restrictions and food-category guidelines. Businesses operating within 100 metres of educational institutions will also be expected to comply with the relevant rules.
The framework could help institutions review their existing menus, prioritise nutritious food and reduce students’ access to prohibited products during the academic day.
Conclusion
The new regulations mark an important step towards improving food safety and encouraging healthier eating habits among students in Punjab. By prohibiting selected beverages, sweets and other products while introducing green, yellow and red food categories, the Punjab Food Authority is establishing clearer standards for educational food services.
As Punjab bans energy drinks and cotton candy, the effectiveness of the new framework will depend on consistent implementation by educational institutions and compliance by food businesses operating within the designated areas. The initiative aims to create school and campus environments where healthier food choices receive greater priority.
