Right to Food Campaign
 

Mid-day Meals: Guidelines

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The Government of Andhra Pradesh has prepared a list of "do's and dont's" to keep in mind while preparing mid-day meals:

DO'S

  • Ensure proper cooking of rice.
  • Use only potable water.
  • Clean the vegetables and other provisions thoroughly before they are cooked.
  • Use only aluminium or steel vessels.
  • Maintain utmost hygiene and cleanliness in the whole process of cooking.
  • Members of Village Committee must supervise the cooking as well as feeding process.
  • Responsible members of Education Committee must test the food before it is served to the children and the Headmaster or a nominated teacher must eat food with the students.
  • Use only cooking gas.
  • Use minimum spices, as small children are quite sensitive.
  • In case of any health problem, immediately the Head Master should take the child to the nearest Doctor.
  • Cook should maintain cleanliness and have nails clipped. Before cooking, hands should be washed properly.
  • Cooks should undergo periodical medical check up and should not be allowed to cook if they are affected with diarrhea, cold, cough, or any other contagious disease.
  • Washing area should be separate from cooking area.
  • Soak pit should be provided.
  • Alum to be used to keep the cooking water clean.
  • Chlorine tablets should be provided.
  • Bleaching power to be spread around cleaning area.
  • Proper sanitation should be maintained in the kitchen, wash area and the feeding place.
  • Iodized salt only should be used for cooking.
  • Only refined edible oil in packed form should be used.
  • Serve only hot cooked food.

DONT'S

  • Don't use polluted water.
  • Don't use uncleaned rice, vegetables and other provisions.
  • Don't serve half cooked food.
  • Don't use uncleaned vessels/utensils.
  • Don't use excess chillies and spices as children are quite sensitive.
  • Don't serve stale and cold food to children.
  • Don't serve food without testing.
  • Don't serve food with bare hand.
  • Don't neglect in case children complain of nausea/vomiting or any other health complications.
  • Food cooked in private houses should not be allowed unless supervised closely.
  • Don't use loose edible oil as it may be adulterated.
  • Don't cook food very early.
  • Don't experiment with menus not prescribed.