`1098': Childline does not collect surplus food, viral message is false

Social media users are claiming PM Modi has launched a helpline for collecting surplus food and distributing it to needy children. Users have also said people can call 1098 and the volunteers will collect the excess food and distribute it to needy children.

By Newsmeter Network  Published on  21 May 2022 4:39 AM GMT
`1098: Childline does not collect surplus food, viral message is false

Hyderabad: Social media users are claiming PM Modi has launched a helpline for collecting surplus food and distributing it to needy children.

Users have also said people can call 1098 and the volunteers will collect the excess food and distribute it to needy children.

"As announced By PM Modi-If you have a function/party at your home and when you see lots of food getting wasted, Pls don't hesitate to call 1098 (IN INDIA ONLY) - child helpline. They will come and collect the food...... (sic)," the post said.


Click here to view.

Childline 1098 does not pick up or distribute food to the needy, according to a tweet from the Regional Outreach Bureau of Uttar Pradesh.

Further, we also found a 2018 report by The Business standard. "Childline, the nationwide emergency helpline for children, has issued a clarification that it does not collect leftover food from parties after a spam mail suggesting it circulated online," the report said.

"We understand there is a chain mail circulating. It says one should call up 1098 to pick up leftover food after a party etc so that it is not wasted. This is not true. We are India's only and most widespread Children's phone emergency outreach service (1098) for children in need of care and protection," the message on the website said.

Childline 1098 is an emergency phone service for children in need of aid and assistance. CHILDLINE India Foundation (CIF) is the nodal agency of the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development for setting up, managing, and monitoring the CHILDLINE 1098 service all over the country.

https://www.childlineindia.org/a/about/childline-india

Hence, the claim is false.

Claim Review:PM Modi announced a Tele-helpline service ‘1098’ for picking up food leftovers from functions and parties.
Claimed By:Social Media Users
Claim Reviewed By:Newsmeter
Claim Source:Social Media
Claim Fact Check:False
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