Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) is gearing up to conduct a study on ‘Nutri Breakfast’ for schoolchildren. The institution will conduct a study in government schools in five states.
CFTRI is working for the Central government, which has proposed to launch a breakfast for schoolchildren on the lines of mid-day meals. The scientists at CFTRI are working on food products and have identified 50 ‘ready-to-cook’ and ‘ready-to-eat’ products with nutritional value, said a scientist.
The study will be carried out in five government schools in Mysuru district. Similarly, a study will be conducted in Maharashtra, Odisha, Haryana and Mainipur. The CFTRI plans to submit a report to the government in 2019.
A scientist at the CFTRI said that the products will be given to schoolchildren for about a month and the report will be submitted based on the results.
The scientists have formed separate teams to take up field trials.
It has to be mentioned that the CFTRI and the Department of Women and Child Development had conducted a study under the 12th Five Year Plan in 12 anganwadis in Nanjangud taluk recently. As many as 250 children in the anganwadis were part of the survey.
A package of seven products, containing necessary nutrients to meet deficiencies among pre-school children in the age group of three to five years, was provided for a period of six months.