Bhubaneswar, Aug 2: The Odisha government has announced that students who do not consume eggs under the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme will now be served fruits as a nutritional alternative, officials said on Saturday.

The directive, issued by the School and Mass Education Department, instructs all District Education Officers (DEOs) to implement the new provision across schools statewide. The initiative will benefit students from Sishu Vatika (pre-primary) up to Class X, ensuring that every child receives a balanced meal regardless of dietary restrictions.

On days when eggs are served—Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—students who opt out will be provided with fruits such as bananas, mangoes, and apples. The cost of the fruit will be equivalent to that of one egg, maintaining parity in nutritional value and expenditure.

This decision comes in response to the growing need for dietary inclusivity in schools, especially for children who follow vegetarian diets or have religious or cultural restrictions. The move also aligns with the goals of the PM POSHAN scheme, which aims to enhance child nutrition and school attendance.

The department emphasized that the fruit substitution should be implemented without compromising the quality or quantity of meals. Schools are expected to source fresh fruits and maintain hygiene standards during distribution.

The initiative has been welcomed by educators and parents alike, who see it as a thoughtful step toward respecting individual choices while upholding the nutritional integrity of the MDM programme.
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