Schools in coastal districts are urging parents to send nutritious food for their children’s tiffin boxes, as they have observed that many of them are packed with unhealthy options like pizzas, burgers, french fries, instant noodles, bakery items, sausages, and other snacks. During meetings and through school apps, the school management has been reminding parents to include alternatives such as home-cooked food and fruits. In 2016, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) issued a circular instructing teachers to inspect students’ tiffin boxes for unhealthy food.

Surekha Bhat, the principal of Canara High School, emphasized the importance of packing only healthy or home-cooked food. She underlined that if a child has had a good breakfast, parents should provide fruits as snacks in their tiffin boxes. If the child missed breakfast, the same should be packed for the tiffin.

Sr Melissa, the principal of Mount Carmel Central School, mentioned that at the start of the academic year, during orientation sessions, parents are informed about the importance of sending healthy options like home-cooked food and fruits. Junk food is strictly prohibited.

Reshma Nayak Sujir, the principal of The Bharat Academy, Kuntikan, shared that students also play a role in educating their parents about healthy food choices. In school, children are educated about the difference between healthy and unhealthy foods. If parents pack junk food, the children inform them that it is not right. Teachers also monitor the food children bring to school, and if any junk food is found, they have discussions with parents and provide suggestions for healthy alternatives. Moreover, the school has a cafeteria that serves nutritious meals. It has been observed that children who consume more junk food tend to have behavioral problems compared to those who consume healthy food.

A parent with children studying at a private school in Moodbidri revealed that the school regularly sends reminder notes to parents every week, emphasizing the importance of packing healthy food. The school noticed that higher grade students, in particular, have been bringing instant noodles and other junk items in their tiffin boxes.