World Food Safety Day is celebrated every year on 7th June to raise awareness about the importance of food safety and its impact on human health. As millions continue to suffer from unsafe food each year, this day serves as a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility from producers, regulators and consumers to ensure the food we eat is safe and handled hygienically.

This year, the important role science plays in making informed decisions about food is being celebrated, under the theme “Food Safety: Science in Action”, on how science, innovation, and data can reduce the threat of foodborne illnesses, ensuring food safety through various researches by providing the right tools and knowledge that prevent contamination of food, extend shelf life and improve quality.

At present, obesity is rising at an alarming rate in our country, impacting both urban and rural populations. The shift towards processed foods, reduced physical activity, and lifestyle changes has further contributed to this growing crisis.  It has become a major public health challenge in India, increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, joint problems, respiratory issues, etc.

To address this rising issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a collective national effort to reduce the consumption of edible oil to 10% and encourages a social challenge model to drive healthy behavioural change.  To align with his vision for a healthier India, our PM has voiced out for an “Anti-Obesity” drive and to focus on moderate consumption of oil, sugar and salt while adopting healthy and sustainable dietary habits.

(DIPR)