Speakers at an international workshop called for addressing the issue of malnutrition to ensure the nutrition security with the adoption of healthy lifestyle, food safety measures and food diversification.
They were addressing a seminar on the research methods in nutrition arranged by National Institute of Food Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Food Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad. Dr Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani said that changing lifestyle, junk food, unphysical activities, over-eating and obesity were the root cause of the many diseases. He stressed upon the natural health which is the best maintained by life style change including physical exercise and mental relaxation; nutritional measures/dietary habits and functional and organic foods. He said that plenty of food/high caloric intake, dependence on impure and processed foods, , environmental pollutions were posing the serious disease threat for the people. He also said that the country was food secure but we are facing the nutrition security issue. He said that the tangible steps were needed to address the issue at the national level. Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan said that the county was producing the surplus food for the people. But on the other hand, 40 percent of our women and children was malnourished . He said that lack of awareness, affordability issue , unhealthy lifestyle and other factors were provoking malnutrition in the country. He said that in the late ninetieth century, the region of subcontinent was facing famine and extreme hunger situation. On the recommendations of Famine Commission, the canal system was developed that turned the barren land into fertile land. He said that on the recommendation of that commission, the Punjab Agricultural Education and Research Institute (now UAF) was established and now we have abundant food. He showed his concern that the food inspectors and school nutritionist must be qualified in the relevant discipline. He said that now, manpower was being taken from other disciplines who are not skilled to meet the challenges. He called for diversification in food as our food depends over wheat Punjab Food Secretary Asif Bilal Lodhi said that the government was making all-out efforts to address the issue of food safety, food security and nutrition . He said that food fortification alliance had been established that will help improve the situation. He said that we are working on the quality of the food provided to the masses. Punjab Food Authority had been set up for ensuring quality food for the people. He said the Punjab government considered nutrition as one of the top agenda. He said that the Punjab Food Department has selected the Nifsat for the wide range of the studies. He said that tremendous work being carried out over food fortification that will bring tangible results. Punjab Forensic Science Agency Director General Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Tahir said that food adulteration was posing a threat for the people. He said that all out efforts were being taken for redress the problems of a common man. He said that demand for the food scientists and nutritionist was increasing every year. Dean Faculty of Food Sciences Prof Dr Masood Sadiq Butt said that that quality education and skilled manpower were the essential to make the development. He said if we ensure healthy food and lifestyle, the issue of increasing ailment and malnutrition can be addressed effectively. He said that they had introduced BS Human Nutrition and dietetics to provide the quality manpower. Director General NIFSAT Dr Tahir Zahoor said that the academia-industry linkages would bring the tangible results to address the various problems. He asid that that high malnutrition population was a serious concern for which collected efforts were need of the hour. Dr Basma Ellahi also spoke on the occasion.