Training programme on “food safety and nutritional security”

Ludhiana, October 22, 2019: Punjab Agricultural Management & Extension Training Institute (PAMETI) organized a two days training programme on “Food Safety and Nutritional Security” from 21-22 October, 2019 in which 20 participants from state agriculture and allied departments, and ATMA participated. Ms. Bharti Madan, Deputy Director (IT), PAMETI explained that the purpose of the training programme was to sensitize the participants about the importance of food safety and nutritional security. Food security includes all practices that are used to keep food safe for consumption and free from contamination. It relies on the joint efforts of everyone involved in food supply. All along the food chain, from farmers and producers to retailers and caterers should work together to reduce the risk of food borne illnesses. The training programme aimed to impart knowledge about various food safety concerns, promote safe food production methods and ways to meet the nutritional security of the weaker sections of the society. Dr H S Dhaliwal, Director PAMETI during the inaugural session, laid stress on the urgent need to apply the correct food safety principles for producing, handling, preparing and storing food. Dr B S Acharya, Joint Director, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), New Delhi made participants aware about the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and role of FSSAI in ensuring the food safety. Dr Veenita Kumari, Deputy Director, MANAGE, Hyderabad interacted with trainees through videoconferencing and explained the concept of Food Security Groups (FSGs) and its implementation. Dr Aadesh Kang, District Health Officer (DHO), Ludhiana appealed trainees to actively play part in ensuring food safety by guiding various stakeholders in food industry. Various resource persons from PAU and GADVASU also enlightened the trainees about various aspects related to food safety and nutritional security. Training ended with feedback from trainees and vote of thanks from the organizers.