‘Eat Right’ campaign: Focus on nutritious diet for mothers, kids
Ground report
The Punjab State Food Commission and district administration, Amritsar, jointly organised a one-day workshop for anganwadi workers and mid-day meal cooks at Dashmesh Auditorium of Guru Nanak Dev University today.
Punjab State Food Commission Chairman Bal Mukand Sharma and Guru Nanak Dev University Vice Chancellor Dr Karamjit Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development) Paramjit Kaur and Punjab State Food Commission member Vijay Dutt attended the workshop.
The Education Department has been pushing for “Eat Right” campaign by empowering anganwadi workers on nutrition plans and healthy diet for mother and children. Today, more than 500 anganwadi workers and mid-day meal cooks were made aware about food safety and healthy eating.
Food Safety Assistant Commissioner Rajinderpal Singh said right food habits had been divided into three parts — eat safe, eat healthy and eat in right amount.
In Punjab, the campaign is part of the nationwide “Eat Right India” movement led by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). “It focuses on improving the public health landscape by encouraging safe, healthy and sustainable food habits. People are being motivated to use less salt and sugar, which can prevent diseases like diabetes and blood pressure,” said Rajinderpal.
Sharma asked anganwadi workers and mid-day meal cooks to take special care of the food given to small children. “The special diet designed for schools offer nutritional food with whole grain, lentils and focuses on millet programme,” he said.
He informed about several welfare schemes, including distribution of ration under the Smart Ration Card Scheme, e-KYC enrolment, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, mid-day meal and supplementary nutrition through anganwadis.
Dutt urged youth to do organic farming. “Switching to traditional meals, including grain, dairy and fruits offer nutritious diet,” he said.
Stressing on cleanliness and food safety, he also directed anganwadi workers and mid-day meal cooks to ensure proper cleanliness in and around kitchens.
