Avoid sugar in Nutrimix for anganwadi children: Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights
The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has ordered the removal of added sugar from 'Amrutham Nutrimix', a food supplement provided to children in anganwadis. The commission suggested replacing sugar with jaggery and mandated clearer nutritional labeling on the product.
Why it matters
This decision reflects growing public health concerns regarding childhood nutrition and the regulation of government-distributed food supplements to prevent lifestyle diseases.
Expressing concern over the quantity of added sugar in Amrutham Nutrimix, a low-cost food supplement distributed through anganwadis in Keralam, the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has directed the Women and Child Development (WCD) Director to completely avoid sugar in its manufacture.
It has also asked the official to set up a high-level committee to examine replacement of sugar with small amounts of jaggery and decide the nutritional components of the supplement scientifically.
The commission comprising member Shajesh Bhaskar P. was acting on a complaint by one Sahila K. of Palakkad that the Amrutham Nutrimix contained 20% sugar, which was against WHO guidelines. As the Nutrimix could possibly lead to lifestyle diseases, steps should be taken to distribute Nutrimix that did not contain sugar, the petitioner had said.
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