FSSAI and DU collaborate to promote Food Safety awareness
The Food Safety and
Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in collaboration with the University of
Delhi organised Food Safety Samvad, a seminar on food safety on Monday, 3rd June,
2024. The seminar was attended by principals, deans, faculties and nodal officers
for food safety from the constituent colleges of the university. The
participants witnessed extensive sessions by officials from FSSAI who shared
knowledge about food safety practices and initiatives.
Uma Shankar Dhyani, Executive Director, FSSAI
delivered the keynote address and Prof. Shri Prakash Singh, Director, South
Campus provided the context for the collaboration. Earlier, Prof. Rajni Abbi,
Proctor, University of Delhi welcome the attendees. This which was followed by
a session by Shri Ganesh Vishweshwar Bhat, Technical Officer, FSSAI on FSSA Act
from Consumer’s Perspective covering topics like Regulatory Compliance,
licensing, registration, labeling and complaint redressal system. Shubhashish
Mallick, Senior Manager, FSSAI, conducted a session on Eat Right India, a
flagship initiative of FSSAI aimed at transforming the country's food system in
order to ensure safe, healthy and sustainable food for all.
An illustrative awareness
session on Food Safety was conducted by Dr Dinesh Kumar, Assistant Director,
FSSAI, through DART book and display of Food Safety Magic Box. FSSAI has
developed the Food Safety Magic Box to help in the basic analysis of the food
samples. Food Safety in Wheels, a mobile
testing lab was also deployed and brief demonstration of testing was also made.
The seminar comes as the
first step of a joint endeavour of FSSAI with the University of Delhi to
implement a series of initiatives aimed at fostering a culture of safe food
practices within the University community and beyond. It is pertinent to note
that nodal officers have been identified in all the colleges affiliated to the
University of Delhi, who will be serving as one-point contact for all FSSAI
related communication in the respective colleges and will also be spearheading
discussions on food safety in their events.
Following a meeting held
on 6 May, 2024 between representatives from FSSAI and the University of Delhi,
several key proposals were discussed and unanimously agreed upon. One of the
major initiatives taken was that the university and its constituent colleges
will strive towards certification as Eat Right Campuses, demonstrating their
commitment to promoting healthy eating habits and ensuring food safety within
their premises. It was also decided in the meeting that food safety modules
will be integrated into relevant courses across various disciplines to ensure
that students receive formal education on this vital subject.
This partnership
underscores the shared commitment of FSSAI and the University of Delhi to
promote food safety awareness and education, ultimately contributing to the
well-being and health of the public.