The state Women and Child Development Department has approved a major overhaul of the take-home ration menu served at anganwadi centres, aimed at making meals more appealing to children while meeting the nutritional needs of pregnant and lactating mothers. The revised menu will roll out from November-December 2026.
The existing tur dal khichdi premix will be replaced with a veg pulao. The popular moong dal khichdi premix will continue but will now come with a separate spice packet, allowing beneficiaries to season it to their own taste. The multigrain-protein mix made with coarse grains will be replaced with a multigrain nutritious puff, while the standard multigrain-protein mix recipe will remain unchanged.
Officials said the changes follow persistent complaints that children and beneficiaries were losing interest in the food due to repetitive menus under the Integrated Child Development Services scheme. The department said the goal is not just to deliver calories but to ensure the food is eaten willingly and enjoyed.
Preparations are underway at the administrative level to ensure smooth supply of the new menu across all anganwadis, with officials expressing confidence the changes will strengthen the fight against malnutrition.
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