People made aware of Food Safety Act

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, August 22

To make the public and many other stakeholders aware about the National Food Safety Act, Kiranpreet Kaur, a member of the Punjab State Food Commission, visited the town yesterday.

During a programme, organised jointly by the district administration and Guardians of Governance (GoG), the member said the objective of the Act was to provide highly subsidised food to 1.2 billon people in the country. This food was provided under various schemes, including Mid-day Meal scheme in schools, Integrated Child Development Scheme and Public Distribution System, to provide subsidised ration.

Under the schemes, 54.79 per cent residents of rural areas and 44.83 per cent population of urban areas are covered in the state, she told.

Expressing concern on the fact that poor quality of food is causing various ailments such as anaemia, mental and physical disabilities in the area, Kumar Saurabh Raj, Faridkot Deputy Commissioner, said there should be a constant check on the Mid-day Meal scheme in schools. The food being prepared and served under the scheme in the schools should be of high quality, he said while seeking the help of GoGs in visiting the schools for inspections.