PU orders ban on junk food, retains samosa, cold drinks

From: The Tribune

Prof Emanuel Nahar, Dean, Students Welfare, on Monday issued orders banning junk food on the Panjab University campus. However, he left out samosa, cold drinks and aloo-patty due to popular demand of the students’ council. 

The list of banned food items included cold drinks with artificial sweetners, chips, French fries, hot dog, pizza, burger without vegetables and white bread. The ban will be applicable at hostels, Student Centre shops and department canteens.
The sandwitches are allowed only in brown bread or multigrain bread. Oats and atta maggi have also been allowed.

‘Samosa and aloo-patty have no nutritious value and falls in the category of junk food as it is made from refined white flour. The cold drink, which has high sugar content, has also been retained.

According to the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, junk foods are those “containing little or no proteins, vitamins or minerals, but are rich in salt, sugar, fats and are high in energy (calories)”.

“Food is unhygienic at the PU. So what shall we eat? We are retaining samosa, aloo-patty and cold drinks as there are cheaper options. Juices and fruit chaat are nutritious but they will cost you Rs 50 on the campus. Non-vegetarian food is not allowed, which provides proteins,” said Kanupriya, president, Panjab University Campus Students’ Council.

“A committee was formed to discuss junk food items. We have consulted the students’ council also. We will ban more food items in the second phase,” said Prof Emanuel Nahar.

UGC directions behind action

The PU has taken action on the issue of junk food after directions from the University Grants Commission (UGC), which had, on August 21, reminded universities and colleges to ban junk food and “create awareness among the youth”. In an earlier letter, dated November 10, 2016, the UGC had said that banning junk food would “set new standards for healthy food and make students live and learn better and also reduce the obesity level, thus preventing lifestyle diseases, which have a direct link with excessive weight”. 

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