The Lahore High Court on Tuesday reserved its verdict on the maintainability of a petition seeking a ban on the sale of carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks and other unhealthy food items within and around all public and private educational institutions across Punjab.
Justice Faisal Zaman heard the petition filed by Azam Ali Butt, who also urged the court to direct authorities to launch a province-wide awareness campaign promoting healthy eating habits in schools, colleges, and universities.
The petitioner argued that the Sindh Food Authority (SFA) had already implemented a ban on the sale of harmful food itemssuch as sugary drinks, energy beverages, poppadoms, and artificially coloured snacks like potato crispsin school canteens.
The decision, he stated, was based on scientific recommendations due to the high fat, sugar, and salt content in such products, which pose serious health risks to students. Butt contended that despite a notification issued on September 5, 2018, the sale of these unhealthy items continues unchecked near educational institutions. As a result, the SFA was compelled to reissue enforcement directives to ensure compliance.
He emphasized that in the interest of student health and well-being, it was essential for the Punjab Food Authority to adopt similar measures to protect children across the province.
The petitioner further requested the court to direct all educational institutions to ensure strict compliance and to initiate a sustained public awareness campaign involving students, parents, and school administrations on the dangers of consuming high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt foods.
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