Andhra Pradesh Food Commission uncovers irregularities at anganwadi centres and welfare hostels

Andhra Pradesh Food Commission uncovered serious food management issues in schools and anganwadi centres. Expired provisions were used, prompting show-cause notices. Government departments are now tasked with ensuring food quality for children.

BRIC Team

Jul 16, 2026 · 2 min read · 4 views

Andhra Pradesh Food Commission uncovers irregularities at anganwadi centres and welfare hostels

Key Takeaways

•Expired chilli powder was found at the Valmikipuram anganwadi centre, out of date by four months, raising safety concerns.
•The Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Gurukulam for Girls had 128 packets of expired edible oil and wheat flour, with insects present in the latter.
•Rice bags at fair-price shops in Palnadu district weighed only 42 and 43 kilograms, below the standard weight.
•Chitha Vijaya Prathap Reddy emphasized the need for inspections across multiple departments to ensure food quality for children.

The Andhra Pradesh State Food Commission has uncovered serious lapses in the management of food supplies at anganwadi centres and schools, leading to the misuse of stocks and the serving of expired provisions. Following review meeting on Thursday, the Commission's Chairman,Chitha Vijaya Prathap Reddy, emphasized that despite the government's efforts to provide quality ingredients for the mid-day meal (MDM) scheme,negligence among staff has hindered proper distribution to students .

During inspections,alarming findings were reported. G. Devi,a Commission member,noted that at the Valmikipuram anganwadi centre in Annamayya district, expired chilli powder was discovered,having been out of date for four months. Additionally, raagi flour was found to be expired by 20 days. Such conditions raise concerns about the safety and nutritional value of the meals being served .

In another troubling instance,the Dr . B.R. Ambedkar Gurukulam for Girls in Chinthaparthi was found using 128 packets of edible oil and wheat flour that had surpassed their expiry dates . Devi reported that insects were present in the wheat flour, and spoiled jaggery and rotten bananas were also among the stock. The kitchen conditions were described as unhygienic, prompting the Commission to issue a show-cause notice to the principal of Gurukulam.

Further discrepancies were noted by Jakkampudi Krishna Kiran, another Commission member, who highlighted issues at fair-price shops in Palnadu district. Rice bags were found weighing only 42 and 43 kilograms, below standard weight. In addition, eggs at some anganwadis were also found to be underweight. The lack of proper maintenance in kitchens and the absence of stock boards at various locations in Bapatla district were also flagged.

In response to these findings,Reddy has directed School Education, Women Development and Child Welfare,Tribal Welfare, and BC and Social Welfare departments to conduct thorough inspections of schools and anganwadi centres. The goal is to ensure that children receive quality food and that the integrity of the food supply chain is upheld.

#Andhra Pradesh