The East Delhi Municipal Corporation has engaged Shriram Institute (SRI) / FICCI for testing of food samples to ensure the quality of food supplied under Mid Day Meal Scheme. Out of 208 samples checked by SRI / FICCI, 127 samples have been passed by the aforesaid institute. The remaining 81 samples have not fulfilled the prescribed levels of protein / calories.
In Delhi, the mid day meals are supplied in all 3077 schools through centralized kitchens run by NGOs and payment is made to the NGOs by the Government of NCT Delhi.
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The Government of India has issued updated guidelines on quality, safety and hygiene on school level kitchens to all the States / UTs on 13th February, 2015. These guidelines, inter alia, provide for instructions to schools to procure Agmark quality and branded items for preparation of mid day meals, tasting of meals by 2-3 adults members including at least one teacher before serving to children and to put in place a system of testing of food samples by accredited laboratories. Further, the MDM Rules 2015 provide for mandatory testing of food samples on a monthly basis by Government recognized laboratories to ensure that the meals meet with nutritional standards and quality. In addition, an expert committee has been constituted to analyse the adequacy of the present nutrient content of meal, suggest optimal nutrient mix meal and assess nutrient adequacy of varying menus.
This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani today in a written reply to a Rajya Sabha question.
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