Haryana Govt. to launch Spirulina-based products to tackle malnutrition

• 21 Aug 2023

Why is News?

On August 19, 2023, the Haryana government announced the introduction of Spirulina-based products to tackle malnutrition among children with a six-month pilot project in Nuh district.

Key Points:

• Under the Poshan Abhiyan, three nutrition-enriched programs will be implemented in all the blocks of the aspirational district Nuh.
• The objective of these programs is to reduce malnutrition and anemia among children and women.
• Nutritional support in the form of ready-to-eat foods, nutrition packets and antioxidant-rich foods will be provided to children and women in all blocks of Nuh district.
• The Women and Child Development Department will provide 'Orthonut' (peanut mixture) under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) to the severely acute malnourished and moderate acute malnourished children in Nuh district on a pilot basis.
• A study conducted by the Institute of Health Management and Research (IHMR), Bangalore showed a reduction in malnutrition in children given spirulina for six months.
• Spirulina, an algae that grows in both freshwater and salt water, is known to be rich in nutrients and have antioxidant properties.