As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, ‘Eat Right Mela’ was today organised by Food Safety wing of Drugs and Food Control Organisation in collaboration with Food Safety and Standards Authority of India at Government Degree College (GDC) Kulgam.The Mela was inaugurated by Chairperson, District development Council (DDC) Kulgam, Mohammamd Afzal Parray.
Chairman Municipal Council, Muneeb Ahmad; Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Showkat Ahmad Rather and Principal Degree College Kulgam, Dr. Manzoor Ahmad besides, Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety, Srinagar and Pulwama; Designated Officer, Food Safety Kulgam/Bandipora/Anantnag; Food Analyst Kashmir, State Nodal Officer, FDA and other officers.
People from all walks of life participated in the event.Food stalls of different departments like Agriculture, Horticulture, ICDS,AYUSH 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.
During his speech, the DDC chairperson impressed upon the department to double their efforts in ensuring safe and wholesome food to consumers. He appreciated the efforts of the Department for organising such a mela.
The ADC stressed on consumption of seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables in addition to consuming grains, legumes and nuts. He further called upon consumers to discourage consumption of food high in salt, sugar and fat as such foods can create health issues.
Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety Srinagar, Hilal Ahmad Mir 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.
Designated Officer, Kulgam, Syed Nighat thanked all the participants and assured the audience that the department will keep no stone unturned in ensuring safe and wholesome food to consumers for which she sought support from them in filing complaints against those Food business operators who do not adhere to various provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act through toll free number 104.
State Nodal Officer CFDA, Firdous Ahmad provided a detailed presentation on the Eat Right Movement and activities available at the Mela. He also highlighted the importance of stakeholder in promoting Eat Right initiatives like Hygiene Rating, RUCO, FoSTaC, Eat Right Campus/School and BHOG.
Food Business Operators, participants from College and Artists and Food Safety Officials were felicitated by the Chief Guest and Host Designated Officer.At the end of the Mela, Eat Right Pledge was undertaken by the State Nodal Officer "Swasth Mai Layenge Thoda Faraq, Kam Karenge Tel, Cheeni aur Namak"Earlier, Eat Right Walkathon was inaugurated from Chawalgam Rest House, in which students and officials participated in raising Eat Right Slogans.