Kamal Ghorui
Cuttack: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an action taken report from the Odisha govt over allegations that supplementary food under Chhatua nutrition programme is being distributed to targeted groups without timely safety tests.Chhatua is a protein-rich mixture, comprising roasted grains and pulses. The Chhatua nutrition programme, which aims to check malnutrition in Odisha, is a key component of the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) under Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), providing take home ration (THR) to children (6 months to 3 years), pregnant women and lactating mothers.Acting on a complaint filed by Jeypore-based advocate and human rights activist Anup Kumar Patro, the NHRC on Monday directed that the matter be referred to the chief secretary, asking for a detailed response within four weeks. The case will be taken up again thereafter.The complaint centres on the state’s distribution of ‘chhatua’ to infants, pregnant women and lactating mothers through around 8,000 self-help groups. It alleges a serious mismatch between testing timelines and product shelf life. While the state food testing laboratory in Bhubaneswar reportedly takes up to 60 days to issue quality reports, the shelf life of chhatua is stated to be only 30 days. “This effectively results in post-consumption testing, defeating the purpose of quality checks,” the complaint noted, warning that such delays could expose beneficiaries to potential health risks.The petitioner also questioned the effectiveness of monitoring mechanisms, arguing that delays in laboratory verification render digital tracking inadequate in ensuring biological safety of food.Further, the complaint flagged possible violations of norms laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, which mandate scientific validation of food safety prior to distribution. It claimed that continuing the current practice beyond Jan 1, 2026, amounts to regulatory non-compliance.Concerns were also raised about regional disparities. Beneficiaries in remote tribal districts like Koraput and Nabarangpur are said to face higher risks due to logistical delays, further reducing the safe consumption window.The complainant has urged the commission to direct the state to adopt a “test-first, distribute-later” protocol and to decentralise food testing by establishing National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories in southern and western Odisha.As an interim measure, the complainant suggested halting distribution of untested food or providing direct benefit transfers to beneficiaries to enable purchase of certified products from the open market.
