The Karnataka government has suspended the distribution of peanut-jaggery chikki in state schools under the Midday Meal Scheme, following health concerns raised in a report by the Deputy Commissioner (School Education) of Dharwad.
Key Issues Highlighted: Nutritional Concerns: The report pointed out the high levels of unsaturated fats and sugar in the chikki, which may negatively affect children’s health.
Storage Problems: Instances of improper storage and expired chikki being distributed were flagged, raising potential food safety risks.
Replacement Plan: Schools have been instructed to replace chikki with eggs or bananas under the Midday Meal Scheme.
Background: Chikki was introduced in 2021 as a replacement for bananas for students who do not consume eggs.
The Karnataka Milk Federation was initially tasked with providing chikki samples before a pilot launch in December 2021.
Data from December 2022 showed that only 2.27 lakh students preferred chikki, while 80% of students chose eggs as their midday meal supplement.
Impact: This decision affects nearly 8 lakh students who had opted for chikki, leaving them to choose between bananas or eggs.
This move is expected to address food safety and nutrition concerns in Karnataka’s schools while ensuring students continue to receive nutritious alternatives.
