Fruits added to MDM menu in Bihar

Kumar Rajiv Nayan

Buxar: With a view to providing nutritious food to the children studying in Primary schools, the education department decided to include seasonal fruits to the menu of the Midday Meal (MDM) which will be given to them twice in a week across the state.

Director, MDM, has issued instruction to all the District Programme Officers (DPOs), MDM, of all the districts in this regard. As per the new menu, the students will be given seasonal fruits after their Midday meal every Wednesday and Saturday.

District Programme Officer, MDM, Buxar, Md Sayeed Ansari said that a copy of the instruction has been sent to all the Block Education Officers (BEOs) and Headmasters of all Primary Schools in the district and the provision of the new menu will be introduced after the schools  re-open after Durga Puja vacation. They have also been asked to pay attention to the Protein, Calorie and other micro nutrients supplied to the students through the Midday Meal every day. A student of Primary School should be given 450 calorie and 12 gram protein while a student of Upper Primary school should be given 700 calorie and 20 gram protein besides other micro nutrients like folic acid, iron and vitamin A.

The MDM director has also issued asked the DPOs to ensure purchase and use AG mark mustard oil, spices, refined ghee and iodine salt for preparation of Midday Meal besides directing them to provide green and fresh vegetables like ladyfinger, cucumber, cauliflower, turnip, cabbage, sponge gourd, radish, spinach, tomato, lemon, salad and other leafy vegetables to student everyday. He has also asked them that the Midday meal should be given to the students after the Headmaster of the schools or the secretary or member of the education committee tasted it.