In the wake of the Bihar mid-day meal tragedy, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has asked all states to exercise caution and ensure that food supplied under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) is safe and nutritious.
In its letter, the ministry reminded the states of the nutrition and feeding norms issued by it, where in it stresses on the need to ensure good quality of supplementary nutrition specifically with regard to food safety.
The letter mentions that in 2012, the Ministry had communicated about safety standards being followed in providing nutrition and that it is necessary to take adequate precautions to ensure that the food supplied through ICDS is safe and nutritious.
The ministry asked the state officials to be vigilant and warned prompt action against those who violate food safety and standards.
In 2011, the ministry had issued guidelines for monitoring and review of ICDS schemes through committees at different levels.
