Education Department bans use of aluminium utensils for mid-day meals in schools

The Punjab School Education Department has directed all District Education Officers (DEOs) to discontinue the use of aluminium utensils for cooking and serving mid-day meals in government schools, citing potential health risks to children.

In an official communication to all DEOs today, the general manager of the Punjab State Mid-Day Meal Society instructed schools to replace aluminium utensils and submit cost estimates for their replacement. He recommended switching to safer alternatives such as stainless steel, cast iron or ceramic cookware. The decision to phase out aluminium utensils aligns with efforts to ensure better food safety and nutrition standards for schoolchildren.

While aluminium utensils remain widely used, particularly among economically disadvantaged communities, officials emphasise that student health and safety must take priority. Schools are now expected to make the necessary transitions at the earliest, ensuring safer meal preparation for children across the state.

Experts warn that cooking in aluminium utensils may lead to metal leaching, especially when preparing acidic or salty foods, potentially posing long-term health risks. Prolonged exposure to aluminium has been linked to neurological disorders and bone-related ailments. The metal is also known to react with certain foods, affecting their taste and nutritional value.

Despite its affordability and widespread use, aluminium cookware has several drawbacks. It can easily scratch, leading to bacterial contamination, and may not withstand high-heat cooking methods. Over time, it can also discolour, further raising concerns about its suitability for meal preparation in schools.