Srinagar, Oct 21 (KNS): “Eat Right India” a National campaign started by Food Safety & Standards Authority of India in collaboration with State Food Safety Authority. The event was flagged off by Dr. Abdul Kabir Dar, Commissioner Food Safety J&K who was Chief Guest on the occasion. Food safety and healthy diets are critical in the context of India's high burden of foodborne diseases, under-nutrition, micro-nutrient deficiencies and growing incidence of obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It is in this context that 'Eat Right India' movement has been launched by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Dr. Abdul Kabir, Commissioner, Food Safety flagging off Swasth Yatra Campaign.
Speaking on the occasion Dr Kabir, stressed upon the audience to eat healthy, eat safe and eat fortified food and wast not excess food items to decrease the level of deaths caused due to the Non Communicable Diseases, Food borne diseases, micronutrient deficiency diseases. The Commissioner Food Safety sought the active cooperation of all the stakeholders to achieve the goal of food safety. On this occasion pledge was taken by all the participants that from now onwards we will consume less sugar, salt and fat to remain healthy. The Prabhatpheri was organized throughout the town of Sonamarg to propagate the message of Swasth Bharat Yatra. Documentaries on the issues such as consumption of low sugar, salt, fat and fortified food items was screened at different places such as Kullar, Rezun and Gund, awareness programmes on different food safety issues and importance of food safety act were also organized for general public which will continue throughout the state up to 27 the December when the baton of cyclotron will be passed on to food safety authority of neighboring state Punjab at Lakhanpur on 27 the December and will finally culminate at New Delhi on 27th January after passing through all the states of the country. It will comprise of a team of 150 'Volunteer-Cyclists' and the convoy would include an 'Eat Right Mobile Unit' and a Mobile Food Testing Unit. The Convoy would make 'stop-overs' in cities and towns and have transit 'halts' and activities in over 2000 locations spread over 100 days.
The 'Eat Right India' movement is a collective effort of key stakeholders and citizens and is aligned with Government's recent focus on public health through its three key programmes, namely 'Ayushman Bharat', 'Swachh Bharat Mission', and 'POSHAN Abhiyaan'. 'Swasth Bharat Yatra', a pan-India Cyclothon, is a key element of the Eat Right India movement. Swasth Bharat Yatra would provide the trigger for cascading the message of Eat Right India to every corner of the country.
Among other Nazir Ahmad Baba, Additional District Development Commissioner, Ganderbal, Dr. Mishra, Joint Director, FSSAI, Social Activists, Officers / Officials of Food Safety Authority, Govt. of India and J&K Government, event partners, training partners, Officers from Youth Services and Sports, J&K, Health, State Education Department, NCC, Food Business Operators and large number of public were also present on the occasion. (KNS)