ICAR-ATARI, Kolkata Secures Patent for Low-Cost Nutritional Weaning Food for Malnourished Children

28 October 2025, Kolkata

The ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata has been granted a Patent (No. 572808) for its innovative Low-Cost Nutritional Weaning Food for Malnourished Children. The technology was developed and validated by Uttar Dinajpur KVK (UBKV) in consultation with ICAR-ATARI, Kolkata.

This novel formulation is designed to address child malnutrition through a synergistic combination of selected cereals and legumes, offering balanced nutrition at an affordable cost. A natural sweetening agent is incorporated to enhance taste and overall sensory appeal. The product undergoes a series of carefully regulated processing steps to ensure a fine, uniform, and stable powder. This enhances digestibility, nutrient bioavailability, and storage stability, ensuring both safety and efficacy.

Key Advantages:

•Provides balanced nutrition through complementary cereal–legume protein profiles.
•Enhances digestibility and nutrient absorption due to optimized thermal processing.
•Maintains desirable flavour and aroma suitable for infant consumption.
•Ensures low moisture content for improved shelf life and product safety.
•Allows easy reconstitution in water or milk for convenient feeding.
•Cost-effective formulation suitable for community nutrition and public health programs.
•Easily adaptable for small-scale and industrial production with minimal processing requirements.

The low-cost weaning food named “SHISHU AAHAR” (FSSAI certified) has emerged as an effective solution to child malnutrition under Project “PUSHTI.” The initiative has empowered over 15 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the production and marketing of the product, thereby addressing nutritional needs while creating sustainable rural livelihoods. By bridging nutritional gaps and promoting better feeding practices, the intervention has contributed to improved child health and increased preschool enrolment. Overall, this innovation stands as a pivotal step toward advancing the nation’s commitment to nutrition security, particularly in resource-limited settings.

(Source: ICAR- Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Kolkata)