Punjab FDA organizes ‘Eat Right’ Mela to promote food safety and healthy diets

The Punjab Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) organized an ‘Eat Right’ Mela at the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Complex on Thursday to promote awareness about food safety, healthy eating, and sustainable diets.

Held under the guidance of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, the event saw participation from self-help groups, food industry innovators, dieticians from PGI, and other key stakeholders.

Dr. Balbir Singh highlighted the focus on millets and organic foods, with millet-based dishes such as khichri, shakes, and halwa served at the mela. Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, along with Cabinet colleagues and MLAs, also enjoyed a nutritious millet-based lunch to promote healthy eating habits.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Balbir Singh emphasized the significance of safe and balanced diets, stating that the mela provides a platform to educate citizens about food safety, dietary choices, and government health initiatives. He also encouraged Ministers and MLAs to use the services of the FDA in their constituencies for food testing, training, and awareness programs.

Reaffirming Punjab’s commitment to food safety, the Health Minister announced that 23 mobile food testing vans have been deployed across the state. These vans are equipped with advanced tools to test over 150 parameters in milk, water, beverages, cereals, spices, and condiments.

This event marked the sixth ‘Eat Right’ Mela organized in the financial year 2024-25, reflecting the state's dedication to promoting safe, healthy, and sustainable diets. The Food Safety Wing is spearheading this initiative under three key themes: “If it’s not safe, it’s not food” (Safe Food), “Food should nourish both body and mind” (Healthy Diets), and “Food must be good for people and the planet” (Sustainable Diets).

The mela featured quick adulteration tests, expert dietary consultations, and insights into government health programs, making it an informative and engaging experience for attendees. Among those present at the event were Principal Secretary of Health Kumar Rahul and FDA Commissioner Dilraj Singh.

Concluding the event, Dr. Balbir Singh urged Punjabis to adopt healthy eating habits, emphasizing “Eat Right, Stay Healthy” as the key to a drug-free, nutritionally secure Punjab.