Union Minister for Health J P Nadda launched the awareness initiative of FSSAI to stop obesity by eating safe and healthy food. It coincided with the World Food Safety Day celebration in Bengaluru today.
The Union Minister emphasised that a healthy society alone can ensure a strong nation. He reiterated that for India to become Viksit, our people should remain healthy. For this to happen they should consume a balanced diet. Safe food nurtures the power of thinking and that in turn improves productivity.
The minister reminded the gathering about the call given by the Prime Minister to reduce oil consumption by 10 percent. He advised that the food we consume must be measured in calories. Only this awareness will keep us fit. He expressed concern over the increased use of ultra-processed food.
The Health minister informed that a study by ICMR between 2008 and 2020 has revealed that the problem of obesity in urban areas has increased by over 39 percent and in rural areas by 23 percent. He also added that by 2050, one third of India’s population will be obese if we do not take precautions about our food habits. Hence FSSAI and the education department have come together to create awareness among the children about the problems associated with obesity. During the function today, the Union Health minister released ‘Eat right activity book that will be distributed in the schools by the education department and by the railway board in railway stations. The book provides important inputs on food habits that cause obesity and how to eat healthy food. J P Nadda informed that NCERT will include healthy eating habits, usefulness of eating millets and nutritious diets in the school textbooks. He also launched the Salt and Sugar Board that will work towards educating people on limiting use of salt and sugar in our intake and limiting fats to 27 to 30 gms per day.
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