Prototype for mid-day meal packaging under development

Mid-day meal is currently served to children in about 1.36 lakh government schools across the country

The Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) is developing a prototype of packaging for the mid-day meal being given to children in 136,000 government schools across the country. Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry D Purandeshawari on Friday said the IIP was working on a proposal that could work if the mid-day meal is supplied in a centralised manner.

While the Bihar mid-day meal tragedy was caused by the alleged contamination of food with a pesticide, the IIP in its study said the way it is cooked and served to the children was a matter of equal concern.

The institute is working on using biodegradable materials like coconut shells for packaging or reusable packs, said N C Saha, director of IIP. It hopes to submit final proposals to the Government of India in six months.