KISHTWAR: To promote awareness about the Eat Right initiatives and FSS regulations among food business operators (FBOs), consumer associations, NGOs and departmental officers on licensing, registration, and food fortification, a one-day workshop cum interaction event was held today here in the conference hall of the New DC Office Complex. The event, hosted by Designated Officer Food Safety Farooq Ahmed Sheikh, was attended by Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Hashmat Ali Yatoo and the Deputy Commissioner of Food Safety, FDA Division Jammu.
The program aimed to raise awareness and ensure the effective implementation of food safety regulations to safeguard public health and Eat Right initiatives. The workshop addressed key topics, including food fortification in ICDS and Mid-Day Meals, hygienic practices in food preparation, the deployment of Mobile Food Testing Vans, hygiene ratings, and the importance of FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification) programs, Organic farming, RUCO and quality of the Food as well as Consumer safety.
In his address, the Commissioner Food & Drug Administration stressed the importance of maintaining and implementing a civic sense of quality and hygiene among the general public. Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Kumar Shavan emphasized the need for awareness about the Food Safety Act and its ground-level implementation. He said that a holistic approach needs to be adopted for improving awareness among the Consumers, Manufacturers, Producers and Stockists.
The DC further said that the Healthy Baby Competition is already being organised in the District to encourage good health of the children. “Another major move is encouraging Model Panchayats to achieve the best results in terms of Food Safety through organic farming,” he added. The Deputy Commissioner Food Safety, FDA Jammu Division, Madan Lal Mangotra, shared detailed insights about commonly used products and focused on consumer awareness and strict vigilance. Designated Officer Food Safety Farooq Ahmed Sheikh delivered a detailed presentation, engaging the participants, including FBOs and prominent citizens, ICDS, MDM, PDS and FBOs and allied Departments for the welfare of the Society and Public in General.
