Directorate of Health and Family Welfare (DoH&FW), Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) Office Dimapur and College of Veterinary Science and AH, Jalukie (CoVSc & AH) observed World Food Safety Day 2024 by organising various activities on June 7.
At Kigwema, DoH&FW conducted a food safety awareness seminar led by Peterson Pongener and Dr. Meguovilie Sachu as resource persons along with the team. In a press statement, Sachu informed that the seminar’s main goal was to raise general awareness of food-borne diseases, sanitary conditions, food adulteration, and the importance of reading food labels, as well as simple tests that can be performed at home. Iodine testing kits for regular salt were also distributed.
CMO DIMAPUR: To mark, the day CMO Dimapur organised a programme at Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Chumoukedima Town. CMO, Dimapur, Dr. Limatula Aier, delivered keynote address where she stressed on the importance of looking for FSSAI License/Registration number while buying package food products and also to maintain a healthy diet with the right intake and avoid carbonated drinks. Designated Officer (DO), Food Safety, Samuel Zehol, in his speech advised the students to anticipate against any unexpected events be it in a form of natural disaster or power outrage. He encouraged the students to take the message of the theme as an ambassador and also to fight against the outbreak of food borne diseases.
The program was followed by demonstration of detecting food adulterants in common food items by the Food Safety on Wheels Team, Dimapur. College of Veterinary Science and AH, Jalukie: College of Veterinary Science and AH, Jalukie observed the day under the theme “Food Safety: Prepare for the Unexpected.”
A press release by CoVSc & AH Jalukie assistant professor, Dr Raghubir Singh informed stated that the event was co-organised and sponsored by Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi.
At the programme, inaugural speech was delivered by college principal Dr. Francis S Cheerangal while assistant professor of the college Dr. Rajkumari Mandakini Devi, highlighted the critical role of food safety in safeguarding public health.
Keynote address was delivered by assistant professor Dr.Raghubir Singh, who spoke on the importance of proactive measures in food safety, particularly in managing food hygiene and zoonotic diseases. Dr Rajkumari Mandakini Devi, PI of ICMR, Foodnet (phaseII) project interacted with the students and demonstrated the foodborne microbe’s culture to the attendees. The event concluded with a renewed commitment to food safety.
Organizers, which included Dr. S. Mukharjee, Dr. Kevemese Khate, Gaurav Saxena and attendees left with a deeper understanding of the importance of being prepared for unexpected challenges in food safety.