Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) continues to operate actively with strong support from the Kudumbashree network across Kerala.
Published Oct 14, 2025 | 6:09 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 14, 2025 | 6:09 PM
Representational image. Credit: iStock
Synopsis: Kerala is launching a comprehensive nutrition policy to combat obesity, micronutrient deficiencies, and malnutrition, particularly in Malappuram, Palakkad, and Idukki. The policy will curate nutrient-rich foods for vulnerable groups, enhance school meals, and expand Subhiksha Hotels. Aimed at ensuring nutrition as a right, it aligns with Vision-2031, addressing rising stunting rates and dietary imbalances.
Kerala is set to advance its food security mission by introducing a comprehensive policy that focuses on ensuring public nutrition. The move comes in light of growing health concerns, including increasing obesity rates and widespread nutritional imbalances among residents.
The new policy seeks to address issues such as obesity linked to excessive rice and calorie intake, micronutrient deficiencies leading to anaemia and stunted growth, and persistent malnutrition problems reported in districts like Malappuram, Palakkad, and Idukki.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister GR Anil noted that while Kerala already leads the nation in food security, achieving nutritional security would be a major step forward. The final implementation plan will be drawn up once the committee presents its recommendations.
A three-member panel—comprising the Chairman of the Food Commission, the Commissioner of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, and Thomas Joseph Thoomkuzhy, visiting professor at the Gulati Institute of Finance and Taxation (GIFT), Thiruvananthapuram—has been assigned to prepare the draft within a week.
Under the initiative, a list of essential nutritious foods will be curated for specific population groups, including tribal communities, pregnant and lactating women, children, the elderly, and fishery workers.
In addition, the state plans to introduce age-specific dietary guidelines.
The government also intends to make school midday meals healthier by adding milk, eggs, meat, pulses, and small grains.
The network of Subhiksha Hotels—which provide affordable meals—will be expanded and may deliver free food to eligible individuals at home when needed. The project shifts focus from merely providing rice-based meals to promoting access to balanced, nutrient-rich food, transforming the principle from food as a right to nutrition as a right.
This nutrition policy is being developed as part of the Vision-2031 programme of the Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, in connection with the state’s 75th formation anniversary.
In Kerala, the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) continues to operate actively with strong support from the Kudumbashree network across the state. To enhance the nutritional well-being of women and children, the Ministry implements the SNP under the Anganwadi Services and the Scheme for Adolescent Girls, both part of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) umbrella.
The beneficiaries include children aged 6 months to 6 years, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and out-of-school adolescent girls aged 11–14 years.
According to Sandhya T, a Kudumbashree worker from Ernakulam, the programme is carried out through the Local Self-Government Institutions (LSGIs).
”Children aged 6 months to 3 years receive Amrithum Nutrimix, a nutrient-rich powder, twice a month as Take-Home Ration (THR). Those aged 3–6 years attending Anganwadis are served morning snacks, noon meals, and general feeding for 25 days a month. Meanwhile, pregnant and lactating women receive raw food rations as per Government of India norms.” she told South First.
Sandhya added that Anganwadis play a vital role in ensuring food and nutrition security for vulnerable groups such as women and young children. Beneficiaries who are denied nutrition support can raise complaints with the Anganwadi Level Monitoring and Support Committee, the Supervisor, or the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO).
Under the Poshaka Balyam initiative, expanded in 2025—the government now provides milk and eggs three days a week to Anganwadi children to improve protein and calcium intake. In addition, the Oppam programme ensures that ”extremely poor” families, including elderly or bedridden individuals, receive free home delivery of ration items through auto-rickshaw drivers.
Kerala’s Subhiksha Hotels also play a crucial role in supporting low-income families, daily wage earners, and students, especially in urban areas. In July, the government revised the meal price at these outlets—run under the ‘Hunger-Free Kerala’ initiative of the Food and Civil Supplies Department—from ₹20 to ₹30, matching the price at Kudumbashree’s Janakeeya Hotels.
The revision was based on a recommendation from the Commissioner of Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs.
At the same time, the initial setup fund for each Subhiksha Hotel was reduced from ₹10 lakh to ₹7 lakh to encourage more units across districts. To sustain operations, recurring utility expenses were capped at ₹2,000 for electricity and ₹600 for water on a bimonthly basis.
However, many units continue to face financial challenges, making the idea of strengthening these centres as nutrition support hubs more relevant than ever.
The latest comprehensive data on malnutrition in Kerala comes from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019–2021), which reported that 23.4 percent of children under 5 are stunted (low height-for-age), 15.8 percent are wasted (low weight-for-height), and 19.7 percent are underweight (low weight-for-age).
A more recent January 2025 study published in BMJ Public Health reaffirmed these findings, indicating that stunting rates have, in fact, increased.
The study highlights that malnutrition remains disproportionately higher among tribal and Dalit populations, particularly in Malappuram district.
Malappuram, which houses nearly half of Kerala’s Paniya tribal population, has been identified as having the highest burden of undernutrition in the state.
Nutritionist Dr Anjali RS based in Kochi, emphasises that Kerala’s focus should shift from pursuing a ”poverty-free state” to striving for a ”nutrition-deficiency-free state.” However, she notes that nutritious food remains unaffordable for many, turning nutrition into a form of privilege.
”Today, several unregulated private companies are marketing so-called nutri-mix products without scientific validation, often at inflated prices,” Dr Anjali warns. ”They especially target fitness-conscious consumers. The government must enforce stricter monitoring to prevent exploitation.”
She also pointed out Kerala’s overdependence on rice, observing that around 80 percent of daily meals consist of rice, often served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with little variation.
”Traditional Kerala cuisine was actually more balanced, incorporating fish, coconut, vegetables, and a range of grains. But modern lifestyle changes and cost pressures have reduced dietary diversity,” she said.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
