Jaipur: The food fortification programme launched in Rajasthan in September 2012 covering the school children through the midday meals scheme will be expanded this year to cover about 10 lakh children. The centralized kitchens are supplying fortified soya dal
analogue containing additional micronutrients under the project.
The Rajasthan Government is implementing the project in collaboration with the Institute of Health Management and Research (IIHMR), Jaipur, and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN). Midday meals were added to the programme after its successful execution through the Public Distribution System (PDS) for the common citizens, women and children having low levels of nutrition.
The Food Fortification Project Director at IIHMR, Dr. O.P. Gupta,said here today that the centralized kitches such as Akshay Patra, Nandi Foundation and Adamya Chetana had signed memorandums of understanding for inclusion of soya dal analogue in their regular midday meal supplies. These kitchens will expand their work with the inclusion of more children in the project.
Dal analogue is a manufactured product made using edible grade defatted soy flour, whole-wheat flour and turmeric powder. It is manufactured using most advanced twin-screw extrusion technology, which makes it as close as dals, especially tur dal. Dal analogue looks, cooks and tastes close to tur dal.
Dr. Gupta pointed out that fortified dal analogue was dal analogue in which reasonably good amount of micronutrients such as iron and folic acid was added. The micronutrients are added up during the manufacturing process and distributed in the grain all over and not just on surface. Hence, the micronutrients are not lost during washing of the grains before cooking.
Even before the inclusion of school children through the midday meals scheme, the food fortification programme has benefited general population, including the rural folk, malnourished children and pregnant and lactating mothers, since its inception. Wheat flour, oil and milk have been fortified in Rajasthan as part of the ambitious
project.
Explaining the selection of soya dal analogue for the project’s midday meals segment, Dr. Gupta said that dal analogue serves as a perfect vehicle for micronutrient fortification to combat deficiencies such as iron, zinc and vitamin A. This product has a good amount of
protein from soy and it can help in reducing certain diet-related degenerative diseases like heart disease and osteoporosis.
Several non-government organizations and voluntary groups have extended support to the project’s implementation and the coverage of large sections of population through the PDS has ensured its success. Soy dal analogue is at present being manufactured solely for the
feeding programme.
The project’s Programme Manager, Mr. Jatinder Beer, said huge rallies of school children had been organized in several districts to generate awareness among masses and highlight the significance of fortified food. These rallies will be held in Barmer, Bikaner, Sawai Madhopur and Kota districts during January 2013.
-Kalyan Singh Kothari
Media Consultant
Mobile: 9414047744
