Haryana sacks editor after govt magazine lists beef as iron-rich food

Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma removed the editor, Deviyani Singh, and pulled up senior officials of the education department. “We said that it should not have been published.,” PTI quoted Sharma as saying. He added that further action would follow. Singh is the wife of a Haryana-cadre IAS officer.

The article, which elaborates the importance of iron for the human body, says: “The best sources of iron are meat, fish and poultry. Other sources include beans, nuts, dried fruits, green leafy vegetables and iron-fortified breakfast cereals.” Stating that “there are many foods which are categorised under enhancers and inhibitors, which directly affect the absorption of iron,” the article lists beef, lamb, veal and pork as “enhancers”.

Sources said that Sharma objected when he learnt that the magazine had listed “beef” as an iron-rich food. The magazine was recalled from schools and its online edition was removed from the department’s website.