Maharashtra Government Ditches Oily Snacks for Healthier Options

Maharashtra is ushering in a significant dietary change across its government and semi-government offices. A new state policy, recently approved by the cabinet, mandates the replacement of oily and highly processed snacks such as batata vada and pakodas with healthier alternatives. This initiative aims to embed balanced and nutritious diets into the daily lives of government employees.

The policy will be implemented for food served at all official meetings, programs, and training sessions. The focus will shift towards promoting options like seasonal fruits, boiled pulses, salads, idli-sambar, and millet bhakris. This move is intended to foster a cultural shift towards healthier eating habits within society, addressing the rising incidence of lifestyle diseases.

New catering contracts will also incorporate these healthy menu guidelines. Government and semi-government institutions are tasked with conducting awareness programs for employees on healthy lifestyles. The Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition's dietary guidelines will serve as a reference for finalizing these balanced meal menus.