Hello friends, Have you ever wondered how beneficial the things that we feed our children thinking they are healthy are actually? The Karnataka government has recently taken a big step now chikki (peanut bar) will not be distributed under the Mid-Day Meal scheme in government and aided schools. The reason for this? There have been complaints of excessive sugar and unhealthy fats in it, which can have a bad effect on the health of children. Let us understand the reasons behind this decision and its impact in detail.
Why was Chikki banned?
The decision to ban the distribution of chikki was taken in a Karnataka government directive issued on February 17. According to reports, problems of poor storage, quality and expiry of chikki were reported in many districts, which could pose a threat to the health of children. Even some batches did not meet the food safety standards, due to which there was a possibility of contamination in them. This decision of the Karnataka government will affect 55 lakh children who avail of the Mid-Day Meal scheme. Till now, children could choose one option according to their choice from eggs, bananas and chikki. The government and Azim Premji Foundation were running this nutrition scheme together, in which the Karnataka government provided nutritional material two days a week and the foundation provided it on the remaining days.
Is chikki harmful to health?
Experts believe that most of the chikkis available in the market are not pure and healthy. They contain excessive amounts of sugar and unsaturated fat, which can be harmful to children. This is the reason why the government decided to remove it. According to public health expert Dr Sylvia Carpagam, roasted and lightly salted peanuts can be a better option than chikki. 100 grams of peanuts contain protein, good fats and essential nutrients like calcium, iron and zinc, which are beneficial for the physical and mental growth of children.
Will other states also do this?
In many states of India, chikki has been distributed in schools and hostels as a nutritional diet. But after this decision of the Karnataka government, it can now be discussed in other states as well. Especially when the health of children is at risk due to some suppliers supplying poor quality chikki.
What will the children get now?
The Karnataka government is now considering other healthy options instead of chikki. It is believed that options like bananas and peanuts will be emphasized to give more nutrition to the children so that they can become healthy and strong. This decision of the government can be a relief news for many parents and teachers. However, this also raises the question of whether we need to examine our food options from a more scientific point of view. It is important for the health of children that they get pure, nutritious and safe food.
Disclaimer: This article has been written for information purposes only. Before taking any health-related decision, consult an expert or doctor.
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