RACHEL D’SILVA
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and are not directed towards any specific product promotion.
There was a buzz a few weeks back that PepsiCo’s Indra Nooyi and Minister Harsimat Kaur Badal were looking at the possibility of processed foods in India’s Mid Day Meals. This was followed by strong public sentiment against any such move. Following this, media reports also countered the statement against any such move. http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/no-proposal-for-processed-food-under-midday-meal-hrd-ministry_1461801.html
As one looks at the various products of PepsiCo India, one of their most recent products ‘Flavored Quaker Oats’ stands out as a 
healthier option in comparison to most of their other products. Flavoured Quaker Oats is in fact even available in small reasonably priced sachets of Strawberry, Masala, Lemony Veg and Kesar flavours. It must be known that Oats have various edible forms:
- Groat, the least processed form of oat. Oat groats take about 45 to 60 minutes to cook.
- Oat bran results when the bran is separated from the endosperm in the oat groat. Oat bran takes about five to seven minutes to cook.
- Rolled oats, on the other hand, are groats that are steamed and then rolled. Rolled oats take much less time to cook than either oat groats or steel-cut oats, ranging from five to 10 minutes depending on the thickness of the flakes.
- Quick oats are groats that are cut, steamed and rolled, creating smaller flakes that take less time to cook, as little as 1 minute.
- Instant oats are rolled into even thinner flakes than quick oats and are often fortified with vitamins and minerals. Instant oats are typically packaged with added flavorings and sweeteners. Oats in whatever form are known as a powerhouse breakfast.
PepsiCo coming out with such a product for the Indian consumer market is an indication of two ideas. One, that the company sees the value of exploring healthier processed food options and two, that being in a competitive market, it has the knowhow of making a product like oats appealing to children and people of all ages using attractive flavours.
This is not to say that they should begin supplying flavoured oats to the Mid Day Meal programme but that PepsiCo and many other food processing companies have the knowhow and talent to explore healthy, creative options for Mid Day Meals.
It is true that Mid Day meals today are suffering from hygiene issues but it is also a fact that meals in many places in the country lack palatability, appeal and attractiveness which most often results in wastage.
Britannia supports Mid Day meals in many states through fortified biscuits. Hence there definitely exists great scope for responsible and sustainable corporate support to the Mid Day Meals.
Photo Credit: BigStockPhoto.com (from http://fillyourplate.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/bigstock-Whole-grain-rolled-oats-with-15026069.jpg)
CASER 