Eggs in Midday Meals

On 23 November 2021, in the context of serious malnutrition, the Government of Karnataka announced that eggs would be provided three days a week as part of the midday meal (MDM) scheme to students in seven districts, namely Bidar, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Koppal, Ballari, and Vijayapura. This move was welcomed by activists and nutritionists who also insisted that eggs be extended to five days of the week and in all districts of the state. Eggs can also meet the National Food Security Act, 2013 mandate as each 60 gm egg can provide almost half the protein requirement of each meal (12–20 gm of good-quality protein) as well as many other essential nutrients. Shockingly, in stark contrast, there have been objections raised by the All India Vegetarians Federation, along with other Lingayat and Jain religious leaders, against the distribution of eggs, purely for religious reasons. An earlier attempt in 2015 for eggs in Karnataka had been similarly clamped down by various religious groups.

The Right to Food Campaign demands that the Government of Karnataka, as well as other states, base their nutritional interventions for children on sound scientific premise rather than religion, caste, or ideology. Scientific basis of nutrition intervention will also send out an important message to children and communities about healthy eating and nutrient-dense foods. Eggs have to be offered to all children as part of the MDM scheme in government/government-aided schools as well as anganwadis, with alternatives like an additional glass of milk, a bowl of curd, or a fruit offered to those children who cannot eat eggs.