The Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) is exploring the possibility of lending its expertise to the implementation of the mid-day meal scheme in the country to ensure that quality food is served to the children.
“We took the initiative last year. In Maharashtra and West Bengal, we did a survey at 35 centres which are implementing the mid-day meal project.
“We took it up as our own R&D project. We were surprised by the way food was being prepared and distributed. We are going to make a proposal. We will develop a prototype,” IIP Director NC Saha told reporters here on the sidelines of a national seminar on ‘global trends in packaging of food, pharmaceuticals and bulk drugs’.
He said various designs are being explored like developing a “collapsible and returnable” package which children can carry home and bring back.
Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, D Purandeswari, who inaugurated the seminar, said it was going to be a huge challenge given the nature of the project.
Replying to a query, she appreciated efforts by IIP to pitch in for the mid-day meal scheme.
She, however, said that the proposal was still in its preliminary stage.