Punjab’s “Eat Right” Mela at Vidhan Sabha Promotes Healthy Eating and Food Safety
Chandigarh, March 27 – In a bid to foster awareness about safe food practices, healthy dietary choices, and sustainable eating habits, the Punjab Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) organized a vibrant ‘Eat Right’ Mela at the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Complex on Thursday. This event, which received enthusiastic participation from a variety of stakeholders, was organized under the guidance of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh.
The ‘Eat Right’ Mela was part of the Punjab government’s ongoing efforts to encourage healthier, more sustainable eating practices across the state. Self-help groups, food industry innovators, and dieticians from PGI Chandigarh joined forces to share their expertise, offering valuable insights into nutrition and the importance of food safety. The event attracted a wide audience, eager to learn about food safety, dietary habits, and government initiatives aimed at improving public health.
Promoting Millets and Organic Foods
One of the highlights of the Eat Right Mela was the emphasis on promoting millets and organic foods, both of which are gaining popularity for their health benefits. Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh underscored the importance of millets in everyday diets, noting that these ancient grains are not only nutrient-dense but also environmentally sustainable.
At the mela, attendees had the chance to sample a variety of delicious and nutritious millet-based dishes, including millet khichri, millet shakes, and millet halwa. The dishes were served to showcase how millets can be incorporated into daily meals in a tasty and accessible way. Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan and other Cabinet Ministers enjoyed a millet-based lunch, highlighting their endorsement of healthy eating.
Dr. Singh, while addressing the gathering, emphasized that the Eat Right Mela serves as an ideal platform for educating the public about safe food practices, making healthy food choices, and introducing government programs that promote healthier diets. He also called upon Ministers and MLAs to leverage the resources available through the FDA in their constituencies to further spread awareness about food safety, conduct food testing, and implement training programs aimed at building a healthier society.
Punjab’s Commitment to Food Safety
During the event, Dr. Balbir Singh highlighted the Punjab government’s continuous efforts to ensure food safety across the state. He shared with attendees that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stationed 23 mobile food testing vans across Punjab. These vans, equipped with cutting-edge technology, are capable of testing over 150 parameters in a range of food products, including milk, water, beverages, cereals, spices, and condiments.
These mobile vans are a key part of the state’s food safety initiative, ensuring that food sold in the market meets safety standards and is free from adulteration. As part of the event, quick adulteration tests were conducted on the spot, allowing attendees to understand how adulteration can compromise the quality and safety of food.
Dr. Singh also emphasized the importance of balanced diets in maintaining overall well-being. The mela, he said, is an essential tool for public education on choosing foods that are not only safe but also nutritious, thereby promoting a healthier lifestyle for the people of Punjab.
Promoting Safe, Healthy, and Sustainable Diets
The Eat Right Mela was organized around three central themes:
- Safe Food: “If it’s not safe, it’s not food”
- Healthy Diets: “Food should nourish both body and mind”
- Sustainable Diets: “Food must be good for people and the planet”
These themes were reflected in the activities and discussions throughout the event. Visitors had the chance to engage with experts in dietary consultations, ask questions about food safety, and gain information on government schemes designed to promote nutritional security and food safety. Various stakeholders, including food producers, health professionals, and government officials, participated in the event to provide resources and share knowledge.
A Statewide Movement for Healthier Eating
This was the 6th “Eat Right” Mela organized in the current financial year (2024-25), demonstrating the state’s ongoing commitment to promoting safe and healthy eating practices. The FDA’s Food Safety Wing has made significant strides in encouraging safe food consumption while also advocating for sustainable food practices that benefit both individual health and the environment.
The event not only served as a gathering for learning and networking but also as a reminder of the broader efforts taking place across the state to ensure that food consumed by the people of Punjab is safe, nutritious, and sustainably produced.
Government Support for Public Health
Among the other dignitaries present at the ‘Eat Right’ Mela were Principal Secretary of Health Sh. Kumar Rahul and FDA Commissioner Sh. Dilraj Singh. Their presence underscored the importance of government involvement in fostering healthier lifestyles and food safety initiatives.
Dr. Balbir Singh concluded the event by appealing to all Punjabis to “Eat Right, Stay Healthy” and support the state’s mission to build a healthier, nutritionally secure, and drugs-free Punjab. He emphasized that food safety and balanced diets are fundamental in achieving these goals.