India, Aug. 1 -- Schools across the city have begun removing junk food from their canteens after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) directed educational institutions to stop storing and selling food items high in fat, salt and sugar. The move has prompted schools to overhaul canteen menus, phasing out long-popular items such as vada pav, samosa pav, burgers and French fries.

Several schools have issued circulars and emails informing parents about the new norms and urging them to send healthy home-cooked meals in their children's lunch boxes.

Sonali Gandhi, principal of Jamanabai Narsee School in Vile Parle, said the school immediately withdrew all prohibited items from its canteen. A circular issued by the school said snacks such as...