The decision drew backlash from experts, who urged the introduction of safer, cost-effective peanut-based alternatives as protein sources.
Published Feb 17, 2025 | 9:49 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 17, 2025 | 9:49 PM
Representative image of students having mid-day meal in school (Wikimedia Commons)
Synopsis: The Karnataka government has discontinued providing peanut jaggery chikkies in the midday meal program for government school children, limiting supplementary nutrition to eggs or bananas, following concerns about food safety and quality from educational authorities. Health professionals and nutrition experts have criticised the decision, arguing that removing chikkies eliminates an important vegetarian protein source for students.
The Karnataka government in an official order dated 17 February, discontinued the distribution of peanut jaggery chikkies under the Midday Meal Scheme and has now limited supplementary nutrition to eggs or bananas. This decision came after Kalburgi and Dharwad educational authorities raised concerns over the quality and safety of chikkies.
While food safety remains a valid concern, food advocacy activists and nutritionists argue that removing chikkies entirely reduces vegetarian protein options, especially in rural government schools where students depend on midday meals as their primary source of nutrition.
As part of the PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana, all students from grades 1 to 8 in Karnataka’s districts were to receive supplementary nutrition (eggs, bananas and peanut jaggery chikkies). However, in 2023, the State Budget 2023-24 expanded the programme to cover students from grades 1 to 10. Each student received a per-day unit cost of ₹6, and the scheme provided supplementary nutrition (egg/peanut chikkies and banana) for 80 days during the academic year.
Later, in collaboration with the Azim Premji Foundation, officials planned an expansion of the supplementary nutrition programme. Beyond the existing provision of two days per week, the scheme aimed to provide nutritional supplements four times a week.
Government schools and aided institutions received instructions to open bank accounts to facilitate the implementation of this initiative.
According to the order ending the distribution of peanut chikkies, officials cited a letter dated 16 November 2024, from the Deputy Commissioner, School Education Department, Kalburgi, stating that peanuts distributed to children as supplementary nutrition posed risks to children’s health.
“Since the content of unsaturated fats is high and the sugar content is also high, if the chikkies are not stored properly, they may become contaminated and have an adverse effect on the health of the children,” the department’s order reasoned.
The DC, DSE, Dharwad’s letter stated: “The distribution of chikkies in schools instead of eggs as supplementary nutritional food under the mid-day breakfast scheme does not meet the prescribed quality. If inadequately stored and expired chikkies are collected and distributed to students, there is a possibility of adverse effects on children’s health. The chikkies should not be distributed; only eggs or bananas should be given.”
After scrutinising these complaints, the government concluded that schools should distribute only eggs or bananas as supplementary nutrition to students in government and aided schools under the mid-day meal scheme. The order specified that “the commissioner, school education department, shall issue separate guidelines for distribution of only eggs or bananas as supplementary nutrition to students studying in these schools.”
With eggs and bananas now the only supplementary nutrition options, a question arises: is this enough? While eggs provide a rich source of protein, many students do not consume them due to religious or dietary reasons. Bananas provide energy and fibre but lack sufficient protein needed for muscle growth and brain development.
Sushma Rao, a nutritionist from Bengaluru, points out that completely removing chikkies without an immediate replacement marks a step backwards. “The government is right to ensure food safety, but students need a protein-rich option beyond just bananas,” she added.
Dr Sylvia Karpagam, a public health doctor and researcher focusing on the social determinants of health, advocates for nutrition and food, saying: “100g of roasted groundnuts contain 26.2g of protein, 39.8g of fat, 26.7g of carbohydrates, 77mg calcium, 3.1mg of iron and 570 kcal of energy, 3.9 microgram of zinc.”
Dr Karpagam explained that while each chikkies a child receives may be small, it contributes to their overall nutritional intake.
“The more variety and diversity in the food consumed, the better, so removing the chikkies does not make sense. In fact, more varieties of foods (unprocessed, cooked at the school) would be better,” Dr Karpagam added.
Condemning the move, Veena Shatrugna, former deputy director at the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) in Hyderabad, asked: “Is it not possible to improve the quality of the chikkies? It is very easy to stop the programme and punish the children! The government should appoint independent concerned people to monitor the programmes and not stop giving healthy food to children.”
However, Dr K V Thrilok Chandra, Commissioner for Public Instruction at the Department of School Education, told South First: “When we looked at quality, we found that the commercially available chikkies were not of good quality, had too much sugar, glucose and oils. We also found that the majority of students, nearly 60-70 percent, eat eggs and are non-vegetarians at home. After considering all these options, we felt giving bananas offers the safe option, though nutritional elements might differ.”
Experts suggest that the government should introduce safer, cost-effective peanut-based alternatives that schools can easily distribute and store in rural areas.
The prime alternative being plain roasted peanuts. Unlike chikkies, they do not require added sugar and can be stored without refrigeration. “Roasted peanuts are rich in protein and healthy fats and require no additional processing, making them a safe and effective alternative,” said Swetha.
Dr Karpagam added: “The fats in groundnuts are beneficial. At least 35 percent of calories should come from fats. These fats also help in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K from food. The foods cooked in schools and by organisations like Akshaya Patra already have very limited fats and oils. Therefore, adding groundnut brings benefits.”
She also suggested: “If the government wants to cut sugar, that’s acceptable. They could give children roasted groundnuts with salt and add them to the food during serving. Why remove them completely?”
Responding to the suggestion of providing roasted peanuts, Dr Thrilok Chandra said standardisation would remain problematic. “Determining the appropriate portion size for each child would again pose a concern.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
