In a sweeping move to tackle rising health concerns among children, the Delhi government has made nutrition education mandatory across all schools. The directive, issued under the Ministry of Education’s nationwide campaign, requires schools to teach students about the health impacts of processed foods, food adulteration, and the science of nutrition.

According to the circular from the Directorate of Education (DoE), schools must align with guidelines framed by NCERT and the Ministry of Education. These include building awareness around high-fat and high-sugar foods, integrating lessons on food processing, and highlighting the balance between food safety and health risks. Schools are required to submit compliance reports to the health branch by September 20.

Officials stressed that shifting diets, adulteration, and the surge in non-communicable diseases have made nutrition literacy a critical priority. While processed foods are often linked with poor health outcomes, they also play a role in reducing wastage and extending shelf life—a significant consideration in a country battling post-harvest losses.

To give students practical exposure, schools have been encouraged to use “bagless days” for field visits to food markets, farms, and processing units. These will help students understand pesticide use, adulteration in the food chain, and the realities of packaged food production.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has already piloted similar initiatives, such as ‘Sugar Boards’ in schools, to create awareness about the risks of excessive sugar and fat consumption.

The government hopes that early exposure to food science will not only instill healthier eating habits but also open up career pathways in nutrition, food technology, and food engineering.

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has also recommended introducing food science modules in school curricula, supported by food fairs, safety workshops, and public awareness drives.

This directive aligns with the Centre’s larger health and nutrition agenda, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call during his June Mann Ki Baat broadcast to cut down on oil and unhealthy food consumption. Officials describe the initiative as a “whole-of-government” effort to build long-term resilience against obesity, malnutrition, and diet-related illnesses, strengthening food and nutritional security across India.