The Hindu : Kerala News : Authorities should ensure quality of honey distributed in schools

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 30, 2006

Kerala

Kerala

Authorities should ensure quality of honey distributed in schools

The authorities are understood to be thinking of distributing honey in the place of egg to schoolchildren. They see many advantages in this. Honey is nutritious and has medicinal properties. It is cheaper than eggs and bananas, being given to those who do not consume eggs. It will help provide a permanent market for honey — a big relief to the beekeeping farmers. What are your views on the proposal? Our readers respond:

Appease hunger

The number of people living below the poverty line is high in Kerala. Giving honey instead of egg is a good idea.

However, availability of honey could be a problem. Sufficient bee-keeping farmers and farms are needed to meet the demand. The Government may have to import honey from other States or countries.

Appeasing the hunger of children should be our priority and giving honey does not serve the purpose. It would be a better idea to distribute eggs in schools.

Gayathri

Pallippad

Welcome step

The move to distribute honey instead of eggs is a welcome step. However, one needs to be cautious, as adulterated honey is being marketed these days. Steps should be taken to ensure that regular quality check is done.

Rajakrishnan K

Kochi

Supply honey, eggs

The authorities should supply honey as well as eggs to schoolchildren. Those who do not consume eggs can have honey instead. Sufficient quantity of honey and eggs should be provided. Steps should be initiated to check malpractice and adulteration of the food.

S.N. Thiruvazhiode

Poonithura

Controversies

Honey is an equivalent, if not a better alternative, to both eggs and bananas. Honey is an integral part of many Ayurvedic medicines.

The rise in demand for honey, owing to the introduction of the new scheme will provide an impetus to the bee-keeping farmers. At present, the lack of adequate returns on capital prevents farmers from venturing into such activities. A change in the situation can be brought about by the introduction of farmer-friendly schemes. Moreover, the distribution of honey to all children, irrespective of whether they are vegetarians or not, shall do away with the differences that might arise when two different items (eggs/bananas) are distributed.

Controversies are bound to crop up with the implementation of the new proposal. The move will be viewed as a step by the Government to garner votes. The authorities should ensure proper implementation of the scheme.

Sreeja Ramakrishnan

Thrissur

Impractical proposal

The proposal to distribute honey in place of eggs to schoolchildren is impractical, as we do not have sufficient reserve of honey. Honey is not cheap as the authorities think it is. A 100 ml of honey costs Rs.30, whereas an egg costs less than Rs.2. Honey is used mainly in Ayurvedic preparations and is always in demand. We do not have many bee-keepers who produce honey in bulk warranting an active market. Those who do not consume eggs can be given milk, as it is cheaper than honey.

V.P. Ramesan

Thripunithura

Cost-effective

Honey is known for its medicinal and therapeutical values. It would be good if such programmes gained popularity in Kerala. The new proposal should be implemented well. Honey production in India is at a crossroads owing to various reasons. Kerala, despite being one of the largest honey producing States in the country, has a low production level.

With large-scale plantations available in the State in the form of coconut palms, rubber trees, cardamom plantations etc. promotion of associated development of bee-keeping in the above mentioned sectors with appropriate incentives can help increase the production levels. It is a cost-effective venture.

Swapna K.P

Guruvayur

Opt for soya meal

Honey contains fructose, glucose, water, enzymes and oils. When compared to eggs, it is cheaper and can be given to those who do not consume eggs.

On the other hand, it can be easily adulterated. Diluted jaggery is often used to adulterate honey. Honey does not fulfil a child's nutritive requirements. Children require more protein than adults. Honey can be graded into various kinds from the high quality light coloured to the low quality dark shade. The fructose in the honey crystallises at room temperature and has to be heated by a special process to prevent crystallisation.

Soya meal is a good substitute for egg as it not only has high quantity of protein but it is also filling, inexpensive and children who do not take eggs can consume it.

Many children attend school just because they get a square meal at least once a day. Giving them a teaspoon of honey will neither fulfil their nutritive needs nor their appetite. The proposal to substitute honey with eggs will be a relief to the bee-keeping farmers.

Annie Thomas

Thrissur

Unwelcome step

The present move of the Government is an unwelcome step. In Kerala, poor children from families below the poverty line seek food to appease their hunger. Some parents send their children to school so that the children would not remain hungry. An egg gives sufficient nourishment to a child. But 10 gm of honey a week does not provide enough nourishment. Marketing strategies are needed to help bee-farming industry. If the honey produced is good, the products will be in demand.

Anoop Anand

Pallana

No nutritive value

For impoverished schoolchildren, eggs distributed free are a source of nourishment, while honey, which is costly, has no such nutritive value. Honey has negligible quantities of minerals and vitamins. The move is a gimmick of the Government to garner votes in the upcoming elections.

Joy Eapen

Vennikulam

Give spirulina

Honey has medicinal and nutritional values. Instead of honey, substitutes such as spirulina (an algae product), rich in nutrition, can be distributed.

M. Sensiluvai

Kollam

Create awareness

Many suggestions may be put forth to replace egg with honey or other such substitutes in the nutritious meal scheme for children.

Even if honey is introduced, it is doubtful whether it can meet the demand.

It can be supplied to those who do not use egg or as an additional nutrient. To support beekeepers, awareness on the use of honey should be created among the people.

A. Jacob Sahayam

Thiruvananthapuram

Check adulteration

Honey is nutritious for children. However, honey if adulterated with molasses has a similar colour. Unless strict quality checking is undertaken, the money spent on buying honey will be wasted.

The authorities must ensure the following: Supply the best quality honey in the right quantity to the students.

Unless a proper survey is conducted on the availability of honey, the scheme is bound to be a failure.

We need sufficient number of beekeeping farmers who produce good quality honey.

Authorities should identify bee farmers in every region to ensure regular availability of honey.

Eggs should be distributed in the event of shortage of honey.

P.M.G. Pillai

Thiruvalla

Pallippad

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