Eggs and mid-day meals: A recipe for nutrition or politics?
As West Bengal’s BJP government tries to pilot a no-egg mid-meal menu for schoolchildren, experts weigh in on the benefits of the affordable protein source
BySamidha Jain
Last Updated: Jul 08, 2026, 10:54 IST4 min
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On June 22, the West Bengal government announced a pilot initiative to replace eggs with vegetarian alternatives in select school mid-day meals in Kolkata. Under the programme, the preparation of such meals, which has so far been administered by the Kolkata Municipal Corporate (KMC), will be handed over to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness’s (Iskcon) Annamrita Foundation. The latter follows a vegetarian menu and plans to substitute eggs with other protein-rich foods
While the pilot project is yet to be implemented, the announcement has revived a longstanding national debate over the composition of school meals and the role of eggs in meeting children’s nutritional needs. Opponents of the latest move claim this is an attempt by the newly elected BJP government of West Bengal to force religion-based beliefs about nutrition onto the predominantly non-vegetarian population, while supporters say a vegetarian meal can provide the same nutrients. There is also chatter about whether children, accustomed to a regular diet of eggs, will be willing to eat alternatives such as soybeans or rajma.
Eggs are commonly regarded as one of the most affordable and nutrient-dense sources of high-quality protein. Experts believe it is difficult for vegetarian alternatives to match an egg’s nutrition value. According to nutritionist Surabhi Jain, eggs are considered a complete protein because they contain all nine essential amino acids in the right proportions required by the human body. They also have high digestibility and an excellent biological value, making them one of the best-quality protein sources available. Eggs are also rich in several important nutrients including vitamin B12, riboflavin, selenium, iodine, phosphorus, vitamin A, vitamin D, and choline, which play an important role in brain development, memory, learning, and nervous system function.
“For children, adequate protein is essential for muscle development, tissue repair, hormone production, enzyme synthesis, and immune function. Eggs provide multiple nutrients in a single, nutrient-dense food, making them a valuable option for supporting healthy growth,” says Jain
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First Published: Jul 08, 2026, 11:48
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