Cultural Biases Vs Nutritional Science

Newsreel Asia Insight #73
Dec. 15, 2023

Madhya Pradesh’s new Chief Minister, Mohan Yadav, has declared a ban on the open sale of meat and eggs, stirring up serious concerns about its effects on public health, especially in a state already battling high malnutrition levels.

Let’s look at the facts. Madhya Pradesh has been fighting a tough battle against malnutrition. A startling revelation by The Indian Express in July showed that in just the first three months of this year, nearly 78,000 children in the state were malnourished.

A State Hunger Index, prepared by Down to Earth and based on data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), reveals that Madhya Pradesh, along with Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, Tripura and Maharashtra, reports high scores, exceeding the national average of 29.7. The hunger situation in these states, it says, is comparable to that in African countries such as Haiti, Niger, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Amid this crisis in food security and nutrition, the situation could worsen. Meat and eggs are crucial for healthy growth and development, particularly for children. By cutting off access to these essential nutrients, we risk depriving many people, especially the young, of what they need for proper growth.

The importance of animal-based foods in fighting malnutrition is not just a theory. Take Karnataka’s example, where a study found that girls who ate eggs in their midday meals gained more weight than those who didn’t, Coda Story reported in November 2022.

Animal proteins are packed with high-quality, complete proteins, containing all nine essential amino acids our bodies need. These are vital for muscle growth, repair and overall body function, particularly in growing children and teenagers.

Moreover, animal proteins are rich in nutrients like vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids. Vitamin B12, mainly found in animal products, is crucial for nerve function and making DNA and red blood cells. Iron from animal sources is also more easily absorbed by our bodies than plant-based iron.

Certain populations, such as pregnant women, children, the elderly and those with specific health conditions may have increased protein requirements. Animal proteins can efficiently meet these needs.

This ban is also about cultural and ideological biases. Public health researcher Sylvia Karpagam, in the Coda Story article, noted that the “ top-down” push for vegetarianism in India often stems from caste and class dynamics, not nutritional science.

“For example, if a woman goes to a hospital with anemia, she will be given iron tablets and told to eat vegetables,” Karpagam was quoted as saying. “But it is unlikely she will be told that liver and red meats are good for her. This is vegetarianism by erasure. The government is not endorsing vegetarianism for ethical reasons or scientific ones. In fact, our knowledge of healthy vegetarianism is also poor.”

It’s also important to consider the economic impact of this decision. The ban on the open sale of meat and eggs will affect the livelihoods of many who depend on this trade. This includes small vendors and farmers who rely on the sale of these products for their income. The ban could also result in a rise in the prices of eggs and meat products. The fallout could be severe, leading to increased poverty and further exacerbating the malnutrition crisis.

This decision also raises questions about the government’s role in regulating food choices. It’s a step that infringes on personal choice and overlooks the dietary needs and cultural practices of many people.

The priority should be addressing the root causes of malnutrition, which includes improving access to healthcare, education and clean water, as well as ensuring economic opportunities for the poor. A policy that limits access to nutritious food, while failing to tackle these underlying issues, may harm the state’s residents.