IANS/New Delhi

Midday meals given to students at schools will be tested each month by accredited laboratories to ensure nutritional standards and quality, the government said yesterday.
The hot meal will be evaluated and certified by the government’s food research laboratories or any laboratory accredited or recognised by law, the rules notified by the central government said.
The rules make it mandatory for schools to use funds meant for other purposes if the money allotted for midday is exhausted for some reason, an official statement said.
The central government said that schools are required to provide an allowance to students if meals cannot be given to them.
These measures are part of a host of rules on midday meals notified by the central government on Wednesday under the Midday Meal Rules, 2015.
Midday meals are provided as a part of the National Food Security Act, 2013.
The rules were notified by the human resource development ministry in accordance with the provisions of the 2013 act after consultation with states and other related central ministries.
Further, the rules also provide that state governments will fix responsibility on the person or agency if meals are not provided on three consecutive school days or five days in a month.
Besides, the rules also demand that every child within the age group of six to 14 years studying in Classes 1 to 8, enrolled with and attending schools, will be provided hot-cooked meal having nutritional standards of 450 calories and 12g of protein for primary and 700 calories and 20g protein for upper primary classes free of charge every day except on school holidays.
The midday meals will be served to the children only in the school.
The schools will also have to ensure meals are cooked in a hygienic manner. Schools in urban area may use the facility of centralised kitchens wherever required in accordance with the guidelines issued by the central government and the meal will be served to children at the respective school only, the rules notified said.
lAt least 90 children fell ill on Wednesday after drinking milk supplied as part of the midday meal programme in Uttar Pradesh’s Khairagarh town.
Senior officials including District Magistrate Pankaj Kumar and Senior Superintendent of Police Parminder Singh rushed to the school as over a dozen ambulances were pressed into service.
The district magistrate has ordered an inquiry
Meanwhile, police said the person who supplied the milk is on the run.




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