aDepartment of Agricultural Economics, Shri Durga Ji Postgraduate College, Chandeshwar, Azamgarh-276001, Uttar Pradesh
bDepartment of Horticulture, Shri Durga Ji Postgraduate College, Chandeshwar, Azamgarh-276001, Uttar Pradesh
cFood Safety and Drug Administration, Jaunpur-226018, Uttar Pradesh
Online published on 5 December, 2018.
An attempt is made to examine the role of India's One-nation-One food law viz, Food Safety and Standard Act (FSS Act) in reduction of malnutrition among children (7–14 Ages). The study is based on primary data collected during 2016–17 and 2017–18 using the multistage random sampling in two districts i. e. Jaunpur and Azamgarh of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. The study was carried out in 12 schools, six in each district, covered under Mid-Day-Meal (MDM) scheme. Out of 12 schools, 600 children were selected for study. The study showed a positive relationship between enforcement of the food law and awareness about food safety and hygienic practices among children and MDM workers as well. Further, after enforcement, all the schools in the study area were following prescribed standard to provide wholesome food, as 93% of food samples collected for laboratory analysis were found genuine. The result on relationship between quality of MDM and nutritional status indicates that children who received good quality of food items in their school had better nutritional status. The result relating to prevalence of thinness (body mass index) in the children revealed that about 80% children were in normal range. The observations suggest that Food Safety and Management Plan (FS&MP) for each school should be prepared and implemented by Food Safety and Drug Administration of the country.
