MAM
No ‘junk food’ ads on kids shows & channels, recommends govt’s food safety panel
MUMBAI: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has put together a report on junk food and suggested a blanket ban on the telecast of such advertisements on kids’ channels.
The report also recommended discouraging celebrities from endorsing food that is high in HFSS (salt, fat, and sugar) and imposing an extra tax on sweetened beverages and processed foods.
Apart from sweetened beverages, the junk food category included pizzas, chips, burgers and several Indian foods such as pakoras and samosas, FNB News reported. It had been observed that ads for a majority of HFSS food were aired during kids’ shows and mostly on kids channels.
Experts flayed the practice of sale of such food by impressing upon young minds, stating that such TVCs influenced the eating habits of the young and made them vulnerable to diseases. Besides, the extra tax on sweetened beverages and processed commodities was recommended as could be seen as a practical approach to cut down their intake.
The report also recommended proper and positive nutritional labelling of such products.
Health Foods and Dietary Supplements Association (HADSA) admits that there was no specific definition stated in any of the regulations for “junk food” in India. It only referred to such food which has no nutritional or health benefit, and a high amount of calories.
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MAM
JBCN Education appoints The Other Circle for PR mandate
Mumbai agency to lead communications for progressive K–12 group.
MUMBAI: JBCN Education just circled in a fresh voice because when your classrooms already think outside the box, the next logical step is to get the story out of the classroom. JBCN Education has appointed Mumbai-based communications agency The Other Circle (TOC) to handle its public relations and strategic communications mandate. The partnership aims to amplify the institution’s distinctive Educreative philosophy, which blends rigorous academics with experiential learning, creativity and values-led development.
TOC will shape JBCN’s narrative through educator-led thought leadership, media engagement and strategic storytelling, fostering deeper conversations with parents, educators and the academic community on modern, meaningful learning.
JBCN Education, senior vice president for marketing Nikhil Sharma said, “Every institution has a unique narrative, one filled with innovative learning, passionate faculty, and the next generation of Changemakers. The Other Circle’s strategic approach and deep familiarity with the education sector make them the right partner to strengthen our brand presence and forge meaningful connections.”
The Other Circle Group of Companies co-founder & CEO Aakanksha Gupta added, “The best communications work happens when the story is already true—you just have to find the right way to tell it. JBCN Education represents a powerful shift in how learning is imagined and delivered in India, and that story is rich: a philosophy that’s lived in the classroom, educators who believe in it, and outcomes that speak for themselves.”
The appointment marks a new phase for JBCN as it seeks to lead national conversations around progressive education, inquiry-based learning and preparing students for an interconnected world.
In an education landscape where the real competition isn’t marks but mindset, JBCN isn’t just teaching kids, it’s teaching the country what forward-thinking learning can look like, and now it’s got a voice loud enough to make sure everyone hears it.
