Amrutham Nutrimix (known in Kerala as “Amrutham podi”) is a nutritional mix powder acting as a health supplement.
Who produces it?
It is provided by the Kerala Government for kids below three years of age and pregnant ladies to fulfil their nutritional needs.
The powder is produced by Kudumbashree Mission under State Social Welfare Department under Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) and it is distributed to all beneficiaries through Anganwadi and ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activists) workers in the locality. As much as 1,300 metric tonnes of the Nutri mix are distributed among 33,000 Anganwadi in Kerala.
What does it contain?
The Nutrimix was developed by the Center for Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod. It is a mix of wheat, soya, sugar, peanuts and split Bengal gram. Three years ago, there was a slight change in the taste of Amrutham podi by replacing ordinary sugar with sugar extracted from coconut.
Who is it suitable for?
It is advised for babies from 6 months to 3 years of age, and is given to babies in the form of porridge. Sometimes dates, cashews and other nuts are also added to make it better for certain kids depending on their personal requirements.
Besides that, Amrutham podi has become a vital part of the diet in many families in Kerala. A wide variety of recipes such as Amrutham podi puttu, Amrutham podi kinnathapam, Halwa, Dosa, idly, ladoo, unda, cake, Iddiyapam, and even Amrutham podi parathas are available. Pregnant ladies also consume this supplement as part of their nutritional diet.
Is Amrutham Podi Contaminated with Toxins?
A news agency reported on March 15th 2022 about contamination in Amrutham podi. The news shocked parents, since Amrutham podi has been recommended as a typical breakfast for children over 6 months of age.
The news report claimed that traces of toxin named Aflatoxin B1 were found in the Amrutham Nutrimix manufactured at the Edakkattuvayal unit during an inspection by the food safety department. As a result, a directive has been given to temporarily suspend the distribution of Amrutham Nutrimix from all Anganwadi in Ernakulam district, Kerala.
Aflatoxins are metabolites produced by toxigenic strains of moulds, mainly Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. These moulds are typically found in tropical and subtropical regions, including high temperatures and high humidity, and also found on dead and decaying vegetation invading food crops. Aflatoxins are poisonous substances found naturally worldwide; they can contaminate food crops and pose a severe health threat to humans and livestock.
They are considered to be both genotoxic and carcinogenic. They are commonly found in foods such as groundnuts, tree nuts, maize, rice, figs and other dried foods, spices, crude vegetable oils and cocoa beans due to fungal contamination before and after harvest.
The liver is the main organ affected by the toxic effects of Aflatoxin. Many reports show an association between growth stunting and aflatoxin exposure in children. Long term exposure to Aflatoxin can lead to severe illnesses like Liver Cancer. It can also lead to immunosuppression.
The food safety department officials have been directed to carry out checks in all manufacturing units of Amrutham podi mix and send the samples for testing. According to the Kudumbashree Mission district coordinator, the operations at the Amrutham manufacturing units have been stopped as soon as the issue was brought to notice and will be resumed only after ensuring the quality.
Let’s take all the measures to ensure that our little ones get nutritious and healthy food to remain safe and strong.
