Government issues new norms on food safety for kids
With reports still pouring in from different parts of the State about poor quality of food being served to children under supplementary nutrition programme, the State Government has issued revised guidelines on food safety to Collectors and community development project officers (CDPOs).
The new guidelines issued by the Women and Child Development Department has prescribed safety measures to be followed during procurement of food items, their storage, hygienic measures to be adhered to during cooking and serving of meals.
Officials lifting the rice and wheat from godown should verify the quality of food grains. If there is any doubt about the quality of food grains, it should be brought to the notice of the Collector immediately.
The transport agents will deliver the rice at each AWC points for one month. The quantity and quality of food stock will be verified by Janch committee and mothers committee members at the time of delivery of goods at AWC point. If they feel that the rice is not fit for consumption they will return it to transport contractor, guidelines said.
The women self help groups (WSHGs) engaged in preparation of Chhatua (cereal mix) have also been given instructions about the types and quantity of ingredients.
The cooked food has to be tasted before it is served to the children. Either the cook or the helper and one member of the school managing committee (SMC) will eat the cooked food at least half an hour before it is served to children at anganwadi centres (AWCs) or in schools.
As per the revised guidelines, children in AWC will be given egg curry thrice in a week on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Severely malnourished children from 6 months to 3 year, and pregnant and lactating mothers will be given two boiled eggs on Wednesday and Saturday. Chief Secretary JK Mohapatra also reviewed the SNP programme with Collectors and CDPOs through video conferencing on Friday and asked them to monitor the programme.