Chandigarh, March 27: 

Punjab Food and Drugs Administration, on Thursday, organised an ‘Eat Right’ Mela at the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Complex to raise awareness about safe food practices, healthy diets, and sustainable eating habits. 

This event, which was held on the directions of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, saw enthusiastic participation from self-help groups, food industry innovators, dieticians from PGI, and other stakeholders.

Dr. Balbir Singh said the focus of the mela was on promoting millets and organic foods, with dishes like millet khichri, millet shakes, and millet halwa being served. Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, along with Cabinet colleagues and MLAs, enjoyed a nutritious millet-based lunch to endorse healthy eating. 

Addressing the gathering, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh emphasized the importance of safe and balanced diets for overall well-being. He stated that the ‘Eat Right’ Mela serves as a platform to educate citizens about food safety, dietary choices, and government initiatives promoting health. He also urged Ministers and MLAs to utilize the services of the Food and Drug Administration(FAD) in their constituencies for food testing, training, and awareness programs. 

Highlighting Punjab’s commitment to food safety, the health minister informed that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deployed 23 mobile food testing vans across the state, equipped with sophisticated tools to test over 150 parameters in milk, water, beverages, cereals, spices, and condiments. 

This was the 6th Eat Right Mela organized in the current financial year (2024-25), reflecting the state’s dedication to fostering a culture of safe, healthy, and sustainable diets. The Food Safety Wing is driving this movement under three key themes: “If it’s not safe, it’s not food” (Safe Food), “Food should nourish both body and mind” (Healthy Diets), and “Food must be good for people and the planet” (Sustainable Diets). 

The mela also featured quick adulteration tests, expert dietary consultations, and information on government schemes, making it an engaging and informative experience for all attendees. Among others present at the event were Principal Secretary Health Sh. Kumar Rahul and FDA Commissioner Sh. Dilraj Singh. 

The Health Minister concluded by appealing to all Punjabis to “Eat Right, Stay Healthy” and support the state’s mission for a healthier, drugs-free, and nutritionally secure Punjab.

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