Prescribed standards for foodgrain quality and cleaning,

with emphasis on providing nutritious meals

Lucknow, Oct 31 (HS): Prioritising

children's health and nutrition, the Yogi government is emphasising food

quality assurance under the Hot Cooked Meal Scheme operated at Anganwadi

centres. Along with providing hot and nutritious meals to children, the scheme

also mandates quality checks before food is served.

Under the prescribed arrangement, at least two adult persons

must taste the food and assess its quality before distribution. The initiative

is aimed at ensuring accountability for both children's nutrition and the

quality of meals served to them. Under this arrangement, responsibility for

checking food quality has been assigned before meals reach children's plates.

Adults such as cooks or members of the Mata Samiti are

required to inspect the food on a roster basis. This helps prioritise quality

in the meal distribution process and ensures accountability at every stage.

The Hot Cooked Meal Scheme also lays down standards for the

quality of foodgrains used in meal preparation. Foodgrains received from fair

price shops must meet superior quality standards, classified as A-grade or FAQ.

Instructions have also been issued to ensure that grains are thoroughly cleaned

before cooking. These provisions aim to strengthen the process of providing

quality meals to children.

Officials of the Department of Women and Child Development

said that balanced and quality nutrition during childhood plays a crucial role

in children's physical development. In this context, the food quality

assessment mechanism under the Yogi government's Hot Cooked Meal Scheme is an

important provision.

Roster-based inspections, foodgrain quality checks and regular

maintenance of inspection records can help make the system more effective.

Ensuring compliance with prescribed standards at the grassroots level will

enable the scheme's benefits to reach children more effectively.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi