Egg consumption in AP much below prescribed standards

Visakhapatnam: Consumption of eggs in Andhra Pradesh is yet to pick up in spite of several government programmes promoting its benefits. While the Indian Council of Medical Research ( ICMR ) has recommended consumption of 180 eggs per capita per year, it is actually only 85-95 in cities and around 50 to 60 in rural pockets of the state.

Members of the National Egg Co-ordination Committee (NECC) are of the opinion that though eggs are a cheaper source of nutrients, a majority, including children, do not eat it regularly.

Speaking to TOI, chairman of NECC, Visakhapatnam zone, T Uday Bhaskar said ICMR has recommended consumption of 180 eggs per capita per year but, it is actually only 75 in Andhra Pradesh. Egg is cheaper (maximum price of an egg is Rs 5 in retail markets) compared to other foods and it contains many nutrients. But, many consider it a part of non-vegetarian food and avoid consuming it regularly.

As per estimates, on an average around 2.8 crore eggs are consumed every day in Andhra Pradesh. In cities like Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and a few others, consumption of eggs is around 80 to 100 per capita per year, whereas in semi-urban and rural pockets consumption of eggs is around 40 to 60 per capita, Bhaskar added.

NECC members said that Andhra Pradesh has slipped to the second place in production of eggs in the country with a production of over 4.6 crore eggs a day. Over 20% of the total produce is exported to Odisha, 15% to Assam and around 10% to West Bengal and Bihar.

“Undivided Andhra Pradesh was a top egg producer with over eight crore being produced a day. But after the bifurcation, Andhra Pradesh’s rank has slipped to the second,” said P Seshagiri Rao of NECC.

The AP government promoted eggs by making it a part of the mid-day meal menu on alternative days at various schools and Anganwandi centres.