Bihar Schools Remove Eggs From Mid-Day Meal Amid Bird Flu Concerns
Patna: Children in government schools across Bihar will no longer receive eggs in their mid-day meals on Fridays, following concerns over rising bird flu cases in the state. The education department has issued an official directive to all district education officials, instructing them to immediately remove eggs from the menu and replace them with seasonal fruits such as bananas or apples.
The decision was communicated through a letter from Mid-Day Meal Director Sahila, citing precautionary measures in response to an alert from the Union Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairy. The ministry has advised people to avoid consuming poultry products, including eggs and meat, amid growing concerns over the spread of bird flu.
Official Directive and Health Advisory
According to the directive, children from classes one to eight were previously provided with boiled eggs on Fridays as part of their mid-day meal, while vegetarian students received seasonal fruits. However, with the increasing bird flu outbreak, Additional Chief Secretary of the Education Department, Dr S Siddharth, has instructed officials to ensure the removal of eggs from the menu to safeguard children’s health.
The directive emphasised that the change is temporary and will remain in effect until the situation normalises. Once health concerns subside, fresh guidelines will be issued regarding the reintroduction of eggs in the mid-day meal programme.
Revised Menu for Students
Under the new arrangement, students will receive seasonal fruits equivalent to 100 grams in place of boiled eggs. The Mid-Day Meal Directorate has clarified that this adjustment prioritises the well-being of children and has mandated all district education officers to enforce the change with immediate effect.
The mid-day meal scheme is a crucial initiative aimed at improving nutrition among school children. Bihar’s decision to temporarily remove eggs follows similar precautionary steps taken in other states amid the bird flu outbreak.
