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Maharashtra Issues New SOPs for Midday Meal Scheme to Ensure Food Safety

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Maharashtra school education department has issued new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent food poisoning and other health issues among school children who rely on the midday meal scheme for nutritious meals. The SOPs impose strict guidelines on all persons involved in the scheme, including School Management Committees, school principals, teachers, cooks, and helpers, to ensure the safe preparation and serving of food. The measures also highlight the importance of regular medical check-ups for cooks and helpers, and the need for proper hand-washing facilities in schools.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new SOPs require cooks and helpers to undergo regular medical check-ups every six months.
  • School Management Committees (SMCs) are responsible for ensuring that raw ingredients are stored safely, utensils and plates are properly cleaned, and hand-washing facilities are maintained in schools.
  • Local education inspectors are directed to inspect storage facilities of contractors supplying raw ingredients monthly, and a fine of Rs 50,000 can be imposed if the facilities are found unclean.
  • Education officers will also be held accountable for ensuring effective implementation of the SOPs.
  • The primary objective of the SOPs is to prevent instances of food poisoning or other health issues among students.
  • School principals, teachers, and local education officers will have to play a crucial role in enforcing the new SOPs.
  • The SOPs also highlight the importance of proper hand-washing facilities in schools for preventing the spread of diseases.
  • A school principal from Palghar pointed out that effective implementation of the SOPs is a challenge, particularly in rural areas.

Statistics:

  • The new SOPs target the prevention of food poisoning and other health issues among school children.
  • Cooks and helpers will undergo medical check-ups every six months.
  • A fine of Rs 50,000 can be imposed for unhygienic storage facilities, increased to Rs 1 lakh for repeat offenses.
  • Local education inspectors are required to inspect storage facilities monthly.

Sources:

  • "Maharashtra Issues New SOPs for Midday Meal Scheme to Ensure Food Safety" by Express News Service
  • Distributed by Contify.com, 2025

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