The Andhra Pradesh State Food Commission has found several irregularities, including the misuse of stocks, serving of stale food to children and use of expired provisions in preparing meals in some anganwadi centres and mid-day meals at schools.

Though the government is supplying quality provisions for mid-day meal (MDM) scheme at schools and anganwadi centres, the benefits are not reaching the students because of negligent staff, said Andhra Pradesh Food Commission Chairman Chitha Vijaya Prathap Reddy.

The commission served notices and recommended action against the responsible staff, he said after a reviewmeeting with various government departments on Thursday.

Commission member G. Devi said during the inspection at Valmikipuram anganwadi centre in Annamayya district a few days ago, it was noticed that chilli powder expired four months ago was being used, and raagi flour was expired some 20 days ago.

In Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Gurukulam for Girls at Chinthaparthi in Annamayya district, 128 edible oil packets and wheat flour was being used in the hostel beyond their expiry date.

“Insects were found in wheat flour. Spoiled jaggery, rotten bananas were found in the stock. Unhygienic conditions were observed in the kitchen,” Ms. Devi said, adding that a show-cause notice has been served on the Gurukulam principal.

Another member, Jakkampudi Krishna Kiran, said rice bags with lesser weight (only 42 and 43 kgs) were found in some fair-price shops, and eggs with lesser weight were found at some anganwadis in Palnadu district.

Stock boards were not displayed at some fair-price shops and kitchens in some schools were not properly maintained in Bapatla district, Mr. Krishna Kiran said.

The Commission Chairman directed the School Education, Women Development and Child Welfare, Tribal Welfare, BC and Social Welfare departments to visit the schools and the anganwadis and take measures to ensure supply of quality food to children.