Darpan News Service
Chandigarh, 29 March: ‘The Eat right India’ movement is led by Food Safety and Standards authority of India (FSSAI) with an aim to create a food ecosystem which can usher a culture of safe, healthy, and sustainable food processes and practices.
Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER rolled out a plan in convergence with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, Department of Food and Drug Administration Punjab, SUPOSHAN, and Innovation and Learning Centre (ILC) for strengthening Health and Wellness Centers in credible food testing and effective surveillance and display discuss and disseminates Eat Right Tool kit and Magic box components by ensuring collaborative efforts for effective implementation.
The workshop was chaired by Mr. Ajay Sharma, Consultant FICCI, BIS and NBB with an opening remark that Safe and Healthy food is an important pillar for strengthening health system and maintaining holistic health.
Dr. Poonam Khanna (Associate Professor of Nutrition, DCM & SPH, PGIMER) briefed about the need and service delivery framework in establishing food testing corners and collaboration of HWCs and School Health Program for the same. Mrs Ravneet Kaur, Director FDA Lab, Punjab enlightened about the types of adulteration and practical testing method. Dr. Rachana Srivastava, Program Officer, DCM & SPH, PGIMER discussed about Eat Right tool kit and Food Safety Magic Box and its collaterals besides highlighting strategies and action plan to promote safe and healthy food. Dr Sangeeta Ajay, Program Officer, Health and Wellness Center and AAC, Punjab deliberated utilization, dissemination and display of Eat Right Tool kit components by CHOs and primary healthcare team of ASHA, ANM and MPW-Male to sensitize the community as a part of Eat Right India movement. Innovation and Learning Centre (ILC) headed by Dr Shankar Prinja, Professor, DCM & SPH, PGIMER and team (Dr Krati Avasthi) will ensure supportive supervision and overall handholding to the AB-HWC team by conducting training and helping in roll out.
Mr. Surinder Verma, from citizen awareness group was present in this meeting. Moreover, an orientation was also given by Dr Jagdeep from state of Punjab on using Eat right handbook and collaterals (components of the magic box) developed jointly by FSSAI, Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) and National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC) under this movement and the real-life examples were given related to use of Eat Right Tool kit in guiding TB patients on right proportion of diet.