Mumbai, Thane school canteens swap cola and vada pav for healthier fare

Schools in Mumbai and Thane are replacing aerated drinks and junk food with items such as buttermilk and idli under Maharashtra food-safety and education directives. Vendors also face limits on selling high-fat, sugar and salt foods within 50 metres of school premises.

— Source published Fri, 21 Aug, 2026, 11:19 IST · First seen Fri, 21 Aug, 2026, 12:44 IST · Source NDTV Profit

What happened

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration · Mumbai and Thane schools are replacing junk food and aerated drinks with healthier options under Maharashtra FDA and

Key facts

  • 50-metre radius
  • 2020 regulations

Why this matters

Food and beverage companies can pursue partnerships with compliant canteen caterers and local dairy or fresh-food suppliers to capture Maharashtra's regulated school-nutrition channel.