The Women and Child Development (WCD) department has advised against adding extra sugar or jaggery to Amrutham Nutrimix when preparing traditional dishes. The Nutrimix, a fortified food supplement for children, already contains 20% sugar. Adding more sweeteners could be harmful to children's health, the department warned.
Amrutham Nutrimix is commonly used to make dishes like 'kozhukatta,' 'puttu,' and 'ada' in many households. While these dishes are often sweetened with additional sugar or jaggery, the WCD says this practice should be avoided when using Nutrimix. The product is already balanced with the right amount of sugar for a child's diet.
The advisory aims to prevent excessive sugar intake among children, which can lead to obesity, dental problems, and other health issues. The WCD urged parents and caregivers to follow the instructions on the packaging and not to modify the recipe by adding extra sweeteners.
This guidance is part of ongoing efforts to improve nutrition for children. The Nutrimix is distributed through government programs to combat malnutrition. Officials emphasize that the product is designed to meet dietary needs without additional sweetening.
Parents are encouraged to consult health workers if they have questions about using Nutrimix. The department also plans to raise awareness through community programs.