The Women and Child Development department has issued a strict advisory against addition of sugar or jaggery to Amrutham Nutrimix when using it to make dishes for children at home. Amrutham Nutrimix is a low-cost food supplement produced by Kudumbashree units on the basis of a formulation developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CPCRI), Kasaragod. It is distributed as a take-home ration through anganwadis to children aged six months to three years across the State.

Developed to meet children’s daily requirements of calorie and protein, the Amrutham Nutrimix comprises 45% wheat, 20% sugar, 10% soyabean, 10% peanuts, 15% Bengal gram (kadala parippu or chana dal). The nutrition officer in the State has underscored the need to ensure healthy practices in homes when using the Nutrimix since it already contains 20% sugar.

Replacing sugar with jaggery

The Women and Child Development department is also mulling changes to the Nutrimix components, including replacing sugar with jaggery, after discussions with the CPCRI to make the Nutrimix more age appropriate and healthier. The Union Women and Child Development Ministry has already issued an adivsory to States to strictly avoid salt, processed white sugar, and artificial colours in supplementary nutrition.

Against this backdrop, the WCD department in the State has directed all anganwadi workers to inform parents directly or in mothers’ meetings and through Poshan trackers or WhatsApp groups to avoid additional sugar or jaggery when using the Nutrimix to make ‘kurukku,’ ‘puttu,’ ‘kozhukatta,’ and ‘ada.’ Adding additional sugar could lead to obesity, dental problems, and other physical health problems. Giving too many sweets to children between six months to 1 year of age will affect their hunger and reduce their preference for other nutritive foods, says the communication from the WCD directorate.

Published - July 21, 2026 09:17 pm IST