Egyptian official reveals ingredients of meals to be provided to stunted schoolchildren

CAIRO – 5 August 2021: Technical and Administrative Manager of the School Meal Program Khaled Nagy stated in a phone-in Thursday that meals to be provided to stunted schoolchildren starting the next academic year will include date pies.

That is because it is rich in 40 percent of the nutrients needed by children suffering from such problem. Nagy noted that the pie will have to consist of either eggs or milk as a source of protein.

The official said that dates are available in abundance in Egypt, and that 20 percent of the quantities of the ingredients of school meals are supplied by the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation.   

A report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) issued in 2020 showcased that Egypt's annual production of dates surpasses 1.7 million tons contributing in global production standing at eight million tons by 21 percent.