Pioneer In Short

TN expands school breakfast scheme

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay will launch the expanded Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Breakfast scheme for students in classes VI to VIII on September 22. Initially deferred due to the CM’s London visit, the rollout will benefit 15.30 lakh additional students across 15,454 government and aided schools, backed by a total budget of Rs 724 crore. However, implementation is on hold in Chengalpattu and Tiruppur districts due to the Model Code of Conduct for upcoming October 6 assembly by-polls. The expanded menu features nutritious staples, millet items twice a week, and self-help groups managing preparation across regional kitchens.

School Education Minister A Rajmohan also hinted at future menu innovations, stating that introducing non-vegetarian options like chicken biryani is being explored as a long-term goal. “Even a prisoner in a jail gets to eat chicken biryani. Why shouldn’t the children in my schools be able to eat chicken biryani?” he remarked, clarifying that any such move would first require pilot projects and strict hygiene standards.

FSSAI sues Nestle over baby food

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated legal action by filing three separate adjudication cases against Nestle India over alleged rule violations in three infant nutrition products: NAN Excella Pro Stage 1, Lactogen Pro 1, and a follow-up formula. The regulator flagged promotional claims regarding “5HMOs” and “Whey Protein” on product labels and e-commerce platforms, citing contraventions of the Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2020, and the Infant Milk Substitutes Act, 1992, which bar the promotion of infant foods. Additionally, a follow-up formula sample failed laboratory testing for Biotin content. In response, Nestle India asserted that its products are fully compliant and that their labels were previously approved by an FSSAI expert committee. The company maintained that its statements are factual and backed by scientific literature.

Following the announcement, shares of Nestle India fell 1.4 percent to close at Rs 1,353.10 on the BSE. This marks the second major regulatory clash between the watchdog and the FMCG major, following the 2015 Maggi noodles dispute.