Bengaluru: A controversy has erupted over the mid-day meal served to school children in Karnataka by the Akshaya Patra foundation with the state government directing it to include garlic and onion in the food.

The foundation, a wing of ISKON, a spiritual organisation, has been feeding 1.6 million children (in the country) 'satvik' food that did not include onion and garlic in line with its principles.

Opposing the move, foundation trustee amd former Infoys CFO Mohandas Pai alleged that some government officials under the "influence of vested interests" were playing mischief to include onion and garlic in the menu.