Mumbai, July 3 (IANS). The Maharashtra government on Friday announced a complete ban on the sale of high energy drinks like ‘Sting’ within 500 meters of schools across the state. This is a serious effort to control the consumption of high caffeine drinks among the youth.
The directive was issued in the state assembly by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Narhari Jirwal in response to a question raised by BJP MLA Vikram Pachpute.
Raising this issue in the House, MLA Vikram Pachpute highlighted the serious health risks posed by this popular energy drink. He claimed that although the drink technically followed certain manufacturing regulations, school children became highly addicted to it.
Pachpute argued that there is a warning written on the bottles themselves that the drink is not suitable for children and pregnant women. Yet it is being sold openly right outside the school premises. This energy drink is proving to be more dangerous than alcohol in terms of its long-term effects on children. He demanded an immediate ban on this.
FDA Minister Narhari Jirwal admitted that this energy drink is actually being sold on a large scale around educational institutions. He assured the Assembly that the state would strictly enforce a 500-metre restricted zone around schools, which would ban intoxicants as well as energy drinks.
BJP MLA Rahul Kul widened the scope of the debate and demanded a comprehensive investigation into drug abuse and food adulteration around schools. Rahul Kul said that drugs are often sold under the guise of flavored betel leaves and he also expressed concern over flavored milk products containing too much sugar and artificial chemical additives.
Minister Girwal confirmed that a high-level internal investigation of these products is already underway under the supervision of the FDA. Following the administrative circulars issued on October 3, 2024 and September 17, 2025, Minister Girwal said officials have been directed to inspect vendors within 500 meters of educational institutions, collect food samples for laboratory analysis and take strict action against objectionable or misleading advertisements.
The administration clarified in its written reply that even though the term ‘energy drinks’ is not clearly defined under the ‘Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006’, these products are regulated as ‘Non-Alcoholic Caffeinated Beverages’ under the ‘Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011’.
This legislative discussion took place at a time when newly appointed FDA Commissioner Tukaram Munde reached Vidhan Bhavan.
Munde is a zero-tolerance officer and took charge of the corruption-plagued FDA on May 25. Munde has launched a major campaign across the state against banned gutkha, pan masala and unhygienic eating establishments.
As part of this strict action, FDA has suspended the food safety licenses of six major hotels, restaurants, bakeries and clubs in Mumbai for violating food safety rules.
–IANS
ASH/VC