Kochi: A directive has been given to temporarily suspend the distribution of Amrutham Nutrimix from government-run child-care centres (anganwadis) in Ernakulam district after it was found to be contaminated.
Amrutham Nutrimix is a nutritional supplement for children in the age group of six months to 3 years, supplied through anganwadis. It is manufactured by Kudumbashree.
Supply should be suspended until a report is submitted after checking the packets distributed till now, as per the directive. Also, it has been directed to immediately recall the distributed packets from the batch that was found to be contaminated. The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Additional District Magistrate S Shahjahan and was attended by the officials of Kudumbashree, food safety department, and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS).
The food safety department officials have been directed to carry out checks in all manufacturing units of Amrutham powder mix and send the samples for testing.
The officials at the Regional Analytical Laboratory at Kakkanad have also been asked to expedite the test results. The Kudumbashree officials have too been directed to ensure the quality of the raw materials used at the manufacturing units.
The action was taken after traces of Aflatoxin B1, a toxin that could even cause liver cancer, were found in the Amrutham Nutrimix manufactured at the Edakkattuvayal unit, during an inspection by the food safety department.
The Nutrimix of batch number 98, manufactured at the Edakkattuvayal unit, was distributed at the anganwadis in Ernakulam district, including Kochi Municipal Corporation limits. Instructions have been given to recall these packets immediately.
The food safety department Assistant Commissioner N P Murali announced that the inspection at the Amrutham manufacturing units will commence immediately.
"The operations at the Amrutham manufacturing units were stopped as soon as the issue was brought to notice. Manufacturing would be resumed only after ensuring quality," Kudumbashree Mission district coordinator S Ranjini said.
