With anaemia continuing to affect a large number of children in Odisha, health experts have urged the State government to ensure the use of double-fortified salt (DFS), containing iron and iodine, in school meals under the PM POSHAN programme.
The demand assumes significance as the Centre’s PM POSHAN guidelines provide for the use of double-fortified salt in preparing meals for school children. The Union ministry of education has also issued communications to States on the use of fortified food items under the scheme.
“When anaemia among children remains a serious nutritional challenge, there is no reason to allow an established and cost-effective intervention to remain outside the school meal system. Double-fortified salt can provide both iron and iodine through a food item consumed every day,” said Dr Ashok Acharya, Director, Hi-Tech Medical College and Hospital.
According to National Family Health Survey-5 data cited in the representation, around 65 per cent of children in rural Odisha are anaemic, underlining the scale of the nutritional challenge facing the State.
Odisha had earlier issued instructions for the mandatory use of DFS in school meals. These included a School and Mass Education Department notification of July 27, 2016, followed by another communication in February 2021.
However, the use of DFS has reportedly not continued after the change of government, with district administrations maintaining that they have not received fresh instructions from the State government.
The issue has also raised questions over procurement. At a Programme Approval Board meeting of the Union education ministry in February 2024, Odisha reportedly stated that pulses, double-fortified salt and fortified oil were being procured centrally through the Odisha State Civil Supplies Corporation for the PM POSHAN programme.
If the State’s stated procurement arrangement is not currently operational, the government needs to clarify the position and ensure that eligible schoolchildren receive the nutritional components prescribed under the programme, health experts said.
“The objective should be simple — no child should lose the nutritional benefit of an intervention merely because of an administrative gap. The State should immediately review the position and ensure uninterrupted supply of double-fortified salt wherever it is mandated under PM POSHAN,” Dr Acharya said.
With anaemia linked to impaired growth, learning and overall development in children, experts said strengthening nutrition interventions through the school meal programme should be treated as a priority.
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