Nutimix allegedly unhealthy for infants

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: The Amrutham Nutrimix powder, advertised as a complete balanced nutritive food for children, is unhealthy for those below two years as it lacks antibiotics recommended for standard baby foods, said Paediatrician Dr Thomas Kurien.

    The powder is produced by Kudumbashree Mission under Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) under State Social Welfare Department.

     It is distributed to the beneficiaries through anganwadi and ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activists) workers in the locality. It is a powder mix of ragi, wheat, sugar and soyabean.

     Dr Kurien said, "Amrutham powder is susceptible to fungal contamination and may result in indigestion and diarrhoea. Nevertheless, in order to contain fungal growth, adding preservatives is not advisable as it can cause long-term illness including asthma and allergy."

   However, Kudumbashree Vice-chairperson Indulekha Appukuttan said, "Amrutham has undergone scientific test and was approved by doctors." She mentioned that Institute of Child Health Neonatologist Dr C Jayakumar as one of the doctors who recommend Amrutham Nutrimix for children.

     But when contacted, Dr Jayakumar replied otherwise."It's an utter lie, I had always spoken against the use of supplementary food including Cerelac, Lactogen and Farex. Apart from mother's milk, children under two years should be given only boiled food cooked at home."

    However, Kudumbashree District Vice-Coordinator Ramesh P said, "Amruthum products have undergone quality monitoring and formulation as prescribed by a statutory medical board formed under the Kudumbashree Mission.