India on road to be trans fat free by 2022: Harsh Vardhan

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday said that due to the unprecedented challenges faced by the world on account of the coronavirus pandemic there has been a renewed focus on food nutrition health immunity and sustainabilityPresided over an event organised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India FSSAI to celebrate World Food Day he said The FSSAIs Eat Right India movement targets to promote safe and healthy food for everyone in an environmentally sustainable way It is a part of its mandate to provide safe and wholesome food for all citizens This will improve the food safety ecosystems and lift the hygiene and health of our citizensUnion Health Minister HarshVardhan drharshvardhan on Friday said that due to the unprecedented challenges faced by the world on account of the coronavirus pandemic there has been a renewed focus on food nutrition health immunity and sustainabilityPhoto IANS File pictwittercom2eijCX5ICgmdash IANS Tweets ians_india October 16 2020Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey also joined via video conferencing the event whose theme this years event is Grow Nourish Sustain TogetherA key focus this year is elimination of trans fats from the food supply chain A food toxin present in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils PHVOs eg vanaspati shortening margarine etc baked and fried foods trans fat is a major contributor to the rise in noncommunicable diseases in IndiaHarsh Vardhan said Trans fat is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases CVD Eliminating CVD risk factor is especially relevant during Covid19 as people with CVD are predisposed to have serious conditions having an impact on mortalityHe reminded everyone of the governments effort to make India trans fat free by 2022 a year ahead of WHOs target in synergy with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of a New India on 75 years of the countrys independenceReiterating the game changing potential of Eat Right India and Fit India Movement the Minister said These two movements along with Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Jal Jeevan Mission and other efforts of the Environment Ministry will improve the health of Indians and heal the environmentExpressing his amazement at the marvels of the internet where curious citizens can look up things on the whole gamut of information available he asked officials of FSSAI to promote awareness and consumer education leveraging technology so that informed citizens can make responsible choicesHarsh Vardhan also launched the Eat Right Creativity Challenge for schools which is a poster and photography competition and aims to promote healthy dietary habitsHe also launched the Eat Smart City challenge by FSSAI in partnership with Smart City Mission and The Food Foundation UK which will create an environment of right food practices and habits in Indias smart cities and can set an example for other cities to followUnion Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan FSSAI CEO Arun Singhal and other senior officials of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and FSSAI were present at the eventState Food Safety Commissioners Regional Directors and officers of FSSAI professionals of scientific panel of oils and fats officials of international public health organisations the WHO the World Bank members of NePRoFaN Network of Professionals of Food and Nutrition prominent food business corporates industry associations implementation partners development partners for Food Fortification were also invited to attend the event through video conferenceKeep scrolling to read more newsCatch up on all the latest Crime National International and Hatke news here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates MidDay is now on Telegram Click here to join our channel middayinfomedialtd and stay updated with the latest newsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever