A training on Rice Fortification for Food Safety Officers and Government Officials under the theme ‘Rice Fortification for better Nutrition Outcomes’ was organized by the Centre for Health Research and Innovation (CHRI) and National Stock Exchange Foundation (NSEF) in collaboration with Food Safety Authority, DHFW was conducted at IDSP Conference Hall, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Kohima on 6th July 2022.
Principal Director, Directorate of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. K. Vikato Kinimi who was the Special Guest in the training said all kinds of diseases are caused by bad food and the Department has stood firmly for food safety measures in the state by checking shops, eateries and food storehouses so that they fall under the guidelines of the food safety measures, even banning the sale of fish in the state for few months due to the presences of chloroform. He called upon all officers and staff attending the training to learn well so that through them all the citizens stay safe, healthy, and have prolonged life.
The resource persons for the training were: Lead, Nutrition Family Health CHRI/PATH, New Delhi, Rohini Saran, who spoke on the topic ‘Concept and need of Rice Fortification’; State Technical Officer, CHRI, Shan Ezung explained about ‘Enabling Environment and Concept of Rice Fortification’ and Project Lead, Centre for Health Research & Innovative (CHRI), New Delhi who highlighted on ‘Quality Control and Assurance of Fortified Rice and Consumer Awareness’.
During the Training on Fortified Rice, the resource persons highlighted that Anemia and micronutrient deficiencies in India are recognized as a deterrent to maternal and child survival and overall productivity of the nation and contribute to high maternal & neonatal mortality and morbidity, obstetrical risks, impairment of fetal development, and low birth weight.
They also highlighted that the recent data as per National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-2020) shows that in Nagaland, anemia affects 34% of women in the reproductive age group (15-49 years), 10% of men, and approx. 43% of children under five years of age in the state and that Anemia and micronutrient malnutrition can be addressed through improving dietary intakes by diversification of diets combined with nutrition education; food fortification; supplementation; and public health and other disease control measures.
They also explained that Fortification is the most effective strategy to combat the problem of micronutrient deficiencies in the population. Wheat, rice, milk, oil, and double fortified salt are the various vehicles for which fortification standards have been released by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India in 2016.
Role of the Food Safety Authority (FSA) Department of Health & Family Welfare includes the development of 'Science-based Food Standards for articles of food and food products and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption. Government of India and the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi to introduce fortified rice in all food safety nets in India by 2024.
The Event objectives of the training were to provide an opportunity for training on safety measures and regulation of fortified rice, Sensitize the DO & FSO on the concept of rice fortification, address the myths around fortification to enhance the acceptability of fortified rice, agree on a way forward for partnering in creating mass awareness on rice fortification by leveraging the existing systems and platforms at the district level and develop a comprehensive sustainable time-bound action plan for the same.
In the programme, the welcome address was delivered by State Program Officer Food Safety DHFW, Dr. John Kemp while the closing remark was pronounced by Designated Officer, (Food Safety) Kohima Zone, Peterson Pongener.
(Maongtemjen, IA)
