As part of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' and to commemorate 75 years of Independence, Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Kupwara in collaboration with Food Safety & Standards Authority of India and District Administration, Kupwara, today organized Eat Right Mela at Government Degree College (GDC), Kupwara.
People from all walks of life participated in the Mela which was inaugurated by the Chairman, District Development Council, Irfan Sultan Panditpori. Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Khalid Jahangir was present on the occasion.The Mela was also attended by ADC Kupwara, Ghulam Nabi Bhat, Assistant Commissioner (AC) Food Safety, Kupwara, AC Food Srinagar/Pulwama, State Nodal Officer FS, Food Analyst Kashmir, Principal of the College, officers from District Administration and students.
Food stalls of different departments like Agriculture, Horticulture, HPMC and those of leading manufacturers of Kashmir Division were installed in the Mela to showcase local production and inculcate the habit of safe and healthy eating among consumers.
In his address, the DDC Chairman highlighted the objective of holding such melas and said that Eat Right Mela is envisioned as a massive outreach to citizens to build awareness on safe food and healthy diets through an interactive and informative model.
He complimented the efforts of the organizers and stressed the need for holding such camps at Tehsil level to generate more and more awareness about 'eat right, keep healthy' mission.He further impressed upon the department to double their efforts in ensuring safe and wholesome food to consumers.
DC Kupwara in his address urged upon the participants to adopt healthy food habits and avoid junk foods as much as possible to keep themselves away from various food borne diseases.Assistant Commissioner Food Safety, Kupwara, Rafi Ahmad, in his address highlighted achievements of the department and enjoined upon the Food Business Operators especially the manufacturing, hoteliers and restaurant owners to adopt good manufacturing and hygienic practices and to undergo hygiene rating at an earliest.
He further stressed upon them to undergo FOSTAC training so that neat and clean food is made available to consumers.Other speakers also highlighted the impact of adulterated and unsafe food on human health and said that the graph of non-communicable diseases can be brought down if a healthy lifestyle which includes healthy eating habits is adopted.
Technical Officer CFDA provided details of activities available at the Mela in highlighting the importance of safe food.Food Business Operators who adopt good hygienic practices in their premises were felicitated on the occasion.Earlier, as part of the ‘Eat Right Mela’ a walkathon was held here at Zangali Kupwara which was flagged off by the Assistant Commissioner Food Safety Kupwara.
A large number of students, NGOs and locals participated along with the officials from Food Safety, despite heavy rains in the walkathon.The walkathon commenced from the Labour Office Zangali and culminated at TRC Kupwara.