The Delhi High Court on Wednesday gave the Centre a 10-day deadline to formulate guidelines to regulate the sale of junk food and aerated drinks in schools across the country.

The bench comprising of Chief Justice BD Ahmed and Justice Vibhu Bakhru also directed the government, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and other stakeholders in the matter to submit their joint comments on the draft guidelines within a period of two weeks. The court has fixed September 4 for the next hearing.

The court’s decision came after a petition was filed by NGO Uday Foundation in December 2010, seeking a direction to ban sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around schools.

In April, the Centre told the court that private firm AC Nielsen QRG-MARG Pvt Ltd was framing norms to regulate availability of junk foods and carbonated drinks within 500 yards of schools. The court said the final guidelines will be made after the food processing companies are consulted for their opinions on the draft guidelines. Additional solicitor general Rajeeve Mehra assured the court that the draft guidelines will be filed on July 24.

“Unfortunately, the draft guidelines are not ready. Now, the counsel for the Centre says that the draft guidelines would be ready within 10 days,” the court said. It also told all parties that no further extension will be granted to them.

In January, the court had given six month’s time to the centre and FSSAI to frame similar guidelines. The court had also asked FSSAI to consult the All India Food Processors’ Association (AIFPA) and restaurant associations while framing the guidelines.