The government said milk can substitute eggs if the children or their parents object.
The Chhattisgarh government on Tuesday announced its decision to introduce eggs into the menu of mid-day meals served across the state. Officials said that eggs can be substituted with milk or other protein-rich products if the children or their parents do not approve of consuming eggs.
A government circular said officials got samples of mid-day meals from 66 schools in 19 districts to test the nutritional properties. Of these 66 schools, eight were from five cities and served by centralised kitchens.
Of the remaining 58 schools, the number of calories present in a meal in 47 institutions was over 85% but less than 100% of the prescribed amount. In nine schools, the number of calories was below 85% of the prescribed figure. A fully nutritious meal was provided to students only in two schools.
Of the 58 schools, only mid-day meals of three schools contained the prescribed grams of protein, the circular added. In 18 schools, the protein content was between 85% and 100% of the notified amount, and in others, it was below 85%.
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