Quality Control Laboratories for ICDS Scheme

There is no proposal to set up new Quality Control Laboratories to analyse the samples of supplementary nutrition foods provided under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, besides the existing ones at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

The Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) of the Union Women and Child Development Ministry in collaboration with the State Governments/UTs carries out periodic checks to ensure that prescribed standards with reference to nutritional norms as well as food safety of supplementary nutrition food being provided under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) of ICDS are adhered to and maintained properly. Existing laboratories are used for sample testing of SNP. Additionally, Government has outsourced analysis of supplementary food in 10% of the operational AWCs under ICDS to two not-for-profit NABL Accredited Laboratories on pilot basis for a period of one year. In addition to calorie and protein, parameters such as vitamins and minerals, toxic metals, pesticide residues, Aflatoxin, and shelf life etc. are also analyzed for avoiding sub-standard and infested food.

In addition, the State Governments have also been advised to get the SNP samples analyzed from NABL accredited State Government Laboratories to ensure that the food served to the beneficiaries conforms to the prescribed standards.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi in reply to a starred question in Rajya Sabha today.

NB/PS