WFP takes strict measures to ensure quality of biscuits

Distribution of biscuits was suspended in those schools that reported bitter taste and foreign particles in the biscuit packets, says a press release of the WFP Bangladesh.

A sample of such biscuits was also collected by an independent superintendent agency and sent to a government laboratory. According to the lab report, the biscuits had a bitter taste due to the use of low quality raw materials but are fit for human consumption. The biscuits also had the required macro- and micro-nutrient contents.

Moreover, there were no cases of children falling sick after the consumption of biscuits, the release added.

The WFP had cancelled its contract with the biscuit producers earlier this month after complaints of negligent packaging.

Its school feeding programme of the WFP covers about 728,000 primary schoolchildren who receive an early hour snack of biscuits.

This intervention has been successful in increasing the enrolment, reducing the dropout rates and improving the nutritional status of children.