Concerns raised over prolonged controversy in some states like Madhya Pradesh over inclusion of eggs in the mid-day meals prompted Union Minister Maneka Gandhi to come up with a response that would surprise nutritionists, pediatricians and even policymakers.
Speaking at a workshop of women journalists in Delhi on Monday, the minister for Women and Child Development said, "I always feel that states should not give eggs in the ICDS and midday meal programs. Eggs are not good for nutrition. They have lot of cholesterol which is not good for health. Besides, they may pose risk of contraction of E-coli."
Explaining the rationale behind her suggestion, Gandhi said, "Due to the absence of a proper food supply chain, eggs reaching to us are often four to five days old and also unhygienic. Consuming such eggs might lead to E Coli infection."
At present, Bengal, Telangana, Odhisha, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh are the states where eggs are served in the midday meal. Maharashtra Governor has recently made eggs mandatory four times a week in the ICDS scheme across tribal areas of the state, a move aimed to curb malnourishment.
Last year, a Joint Review Mission (JRM) constituted by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) had stated that inclusion of eggs in the midday meals actually improved attendance in schools. The JRM had visited Maharashtra, Telangana, West Bengal and Assam and observed the working of midday meal scheme in the schools in those states. In West Bengal, egg curry is served twice a day and the JRM had observed better attendance on those days.
It is estimated that around 40 per cent of the children are malnourished across the country. Eggs, being a rich, most natural and cost-effective source of protein, are strongly recommended by nutritionists and pediatricians not only for malnourished children but also for all growing kids. ICDS and midday meal programs are Centre's two largest welfare schemes aimed at nutritional wellbeing of children across India. While ICDS serves kids below 6, MDM is for 6-14 years.
