Food Commission Uncovers Alarming Issues in School Meals in Mahabubnagar
The Chairman of the Food Commission, Goli Srinivas Reddy, and his team conducted inspections of government schools and Gurukul hostels in the Makthal and Narayanpet constituencies. During their visit on Friday, they uncovered several alarming issues related to food quality and hygiene. Schools and hostels in areas like Gudigandla, Jaklair, and Narayanpet were inspected.
The team found that meals were being prepared in unhygienic conditions. Rice infested with insects and poorly cut, low-quality vegetables were being used for cooking. The preparation of dishes like sambhar and dal was substandard, resulting in bland and tasteless food. Adding to the concern, water storage tanks in several schools were poorly maintained and had not been cleaned for months.
The Food Commission emphasized the importance of providing students with nutritious and tasty meals. Goli Srinivas Reddy stated, “There should be no compromise on the quality of food served to students,” highlighting the critical role of food security for children’s health and well-being.
During their inspections, the team checked the quality of midday meals and essential cooking supplies like rice, pulses, oil, salt, and spices. At Gudigandla school, they suggested improvements in the preparation of vegetable curry to enhance its taste. They also instructed that boiled eggs be served within 30 minutes of cooking and that vegetables and pulses be cooked properly to retain their nutritional value.
Concerns about water hygiene were also raised. The team recommended regular cleaning of water storage tanks to ensure safe cooking practices. They interacted with students to gather feedback about the food and advised headmasters to ensure teachers taste the meals before serving them to students.
At the Jaklair Zilla Parishad High School, further issues with food preparation were identified. The Commission suggested switching from farm oil to branded cooking oil and questioned the quality of ginger used. They also noted the absence of key ingredients like olive oil and cumin seeds in the preparation of vegetables and pulses. They warned that negligence in food quality would be taken seriously.
The team stressed the importance of educating students about the nutritional value of their meals. They instructed teachers and mess committees to evaluate food quality carefully, ensuring meals are both nutritious and enjoyable for students.
In Narayanpet, the Commission found a serious issue where rice supplied to a school was infested with insects. They immediately replaced the stock with fresh rice. Additionally, they recommended installing complaint boxes in schools so students could anonymously report concerns about food quality.
This inspection highlighted the urgent need for improvements in food preparation and hygiene in schools and hostels, ensuring students are provided with healthy, high-quality meals.
