The non-profit organisations Early Childhood Association (ECA) and the Association for Preparatory Education and Research (APER) have written to the chief minister and the Union minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution, urging them to introduce taxes on fat and sugar content in packaged food items.

The associations, which include academicians, educationists, child psychologists and parents, have called on schools in the state to implement changes by discontinuing the practice of distributing cakes, chocolates and similar items during birthday celebrations, replacing these with fresh fruits.