Maharashtra bans energy drinks near schools in 500-metre crackdown
Synopsis
Maharashtra has banned energy drink sales within 500 metres of all schools — a move backed by fresh legislative debate and a new FDA chief known for zero tolerance. With Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe already suspending licences of six Mumbai establishments, this crackdown signals a sharper enforcement era for food safety in the state.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra has banned the sale of high-energy drinks within 500 metres of schools statewide, effective from the Assembly announcement on 4 July 2025 .
FDA Minister Narhari Zirwal issued the directive in the State Legislative Assembly , responding to a question by BJP MLA Vikram Pachpute .
Energy drinks are regulated as 'Non-Alcoholic Caffeinated Beverages' under the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011 , as the term 'energy drink' has no explicit definition in the 2006 Act.
Newly-appointed FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe , who took charge on 25 May , has already suspended food safety licences of six Mumbai establishments.
A high-level FDA investigation into substance abuse and adulterated food products near schools is currently underway.
The Maharashtra government on 4 July 2025 announced a ban on the sale of high-energy drinks — including brands such as Sting — within a 500-metre radius of schools across the state, in a move aimed at curbing high-caffeine beverage consumption among school-going children. The directive was issued on the floor of the State Legislative Assembly by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Narhari Zirwal, following a question raised by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Vikram Pachpute.
What Triggered the Ban
MLA Vikram Pachpute flagged the health risks posed by popular energy drinks, arguing that despite product labels explicitly warning against consumption by children and pregnant women, these beverages are freely available at shops just outside school gates. 'The bottles themselves carry a warning stating that the drink is not suitable for children and pregnant women. Yet, it is being freely sold right outside school premises. In terms of its long-term impact on children, this energy drink is proving to be more hazardous than liquor,' Pachpute said, demanding an immediate ban.
He also claimed that the drinks, while technically compliant with certain manufacturing regulations, are highly addictive for minors — a concern that drew broad support across the House.
What the Government Has Committed To
Responding to the debate, FDA Minister Zirwal conceded that energy drinks were indeed being widely distributed near educational institutions and assured the Assembly of strict enforcement of the 500-metre restriction zone — covering not just narcotics but now energy drinks as well. He noted that administrative circulars issued on 3 October 2024 and 17 September 2025 had already directed authorities to inspect vendors within the zone, collect food samples for laboratory analysis, and act against misleading advertisements.
The government's written reply clarified that while the term 'energy drinks' is not explicitly 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.
Broader Crackdown on Substances Near Schools
BJP MLA Rahul Kul widened the scope of the debate, demanding a broader investigation into substance abuse and food adulteration around schools. Kul raised alarms over narcotics reportedly being sold disguised as flavoured betel leaf, and flagged concerns about flavoured milk products containing excessive sugar and artificial additives. Minister Zirwal confirmed that a high-level internal investigation into these products is already underway within the FDA.
New FDA Chief Launches Statewide Enforcement Drive
The legislative discussion coincided with the high-profile arrival of newly-appointed FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe at the Vidhan Bhavan. Mundhe, who took charge of the agency on 25 May, has built a reputation as a zero-tolerance administrator. Since assuming office, he has launched a sweeping statewide campaign against banned gutkha, pan masala, and unhygienic eateries. As part of this enforcement drive, the FDA has suspended the food safety licences of six prominent hotels, restaurants, bakeries, and clubs in Mumbai for violating food safety norms.
With a new commissioner in place and fresh legislative backing, Maharashtra's food safety apparatus appears to be entering a more assertive phase — one that will be tested by how consistently the 500-metre ban is enforced on the ground.
Point of View
But its real test is enforcement — and India has a poor track record of translating school-zone restrictions into ground-level compliance. The regulatory gap is telling: energy drinks have been sold freely near schools for years despite existing circulars from October 2024 and September 2025. Commissioner Mundhe's arrival adds credibility to the crackdown, but suspending six licences in Mumbai is a drop in the ocean for a state with tens of thousands of food vendors near schools. The deeper issue — that a product carrying its own child-safety warning is classified under a regulatory category that obscures its identity — points to a labelling and enforcement architecture that needs structural reform, not just periodic drives.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has Maharashtra banned regarding energy drinks?
Maharashtra has banned the sale of high-energy drinks, such as Sting, within a 500-metre radius of all schools across the state. The directive was announced in the State Legislative Assembly by FDA Minister Narhari Zirwal on 4 July 2025.
Why are energy drinks considered harmful for school children?
BJP MLA Vikram Pachpute argued that energy drinks are highly addictive for minors and potentially more hazardous than liquor in terms of long-term impact. The product labels themselves carry warnings stating the drinks are not suitable for children or pregnant women, yet they were being freely sold near school premises.
How are energy drinks classified under Indian food law?
Under Indian law, energy drinks are not explicitly defined under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. They are instead regulated as 'Non-Alcoholic Caffeinated Beverages' under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.
Who is FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe and what has he done so far?
Tukaram Mundhe is the newly-appointed Maharashtra FDA Commissioner who took charge on 25 May. Known for a zero-tolerance approach, he has launched a statewide campaign against banned gutkha, pan masala, and unhygienic eateries, and has already suspended food safety licences of six Mumbai establishments.
What other concerns were raised about substances sold near schools?
BJP MLA Rahul Kul raised concerns about narcotics allegedly being sold disguised as flavoured betel leaf, and flagged excessive sugar and artificial additives in flavoured milk products available near schools. The FDA confirmed a high-level internal investigation into these products is underway.
