Kozhikode Corporation is facing practical problems in distribution of nutritious food to children below the age of three years through Anganwadis in the city.
The Corporation has been distributing ‘Amrutam Nutrimix’, a blend of various pulses for this segment for a long time before toxic ingredients were found in the product. Random tests across the state have shown that the mixture contains aflatoxin, a type of toxic substance produced by a certain fungus, often found in agricultural crops such as maize, groundnut and cotton. The toxin is believed to have become part of the mixture through the groundnuts used in it and hence, the mixture was banned in Anganwadis.
Instead, the civic body started distributing green gram, ragi, jaggery and ghee to the children. However, it was criticized by the opposition in the recent corporation council meeting.
“The Anganwadi workers have to manually weigh each item as prescribed by the corporation for distribution to the children. He often used to cut the jaggery by hand. This practice is quite unhygienic,” said Chevayur councilor PN Ajitha. It also alleged that the nutrients may not be available to the children in the prescribed format, as others in the household can use it for themselves.
“Amrutam Nutrimix was manufactured by Kudumbashree. If it was not up to standard, we can always find another manufacturer or arrange to have it made in a more hygienic way,” said Ms Ajita.
Panniyakara councilor K. Nirmala alleged that the decision to distribute Nutrimix’s ingredients separately was not discussed in the council.
However, P. Divakaran, chairman of the Corporation Welfare Standing Committee, rejected the argument that Anganwadi workers were well trained to maintain cleanliness, and to ensure that stocks were well maintained. , Regular inspection was done in the Anganwadi in the city.
“We need to continue with the separate distribution of food items until we make alternative arrangements for Nutrimix,” he said.