Food Safety and Nutritional Policies - Need stressed for homogeneity of food standards
KARACHI: Engro Foods Limited participated in a resourceful seminar on Food Safety and Nutritional Policies, to enrich the discussions with its valuable experience as a leading provider of dairy products in Pakistan. The event held at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences (IAGS) attracted internationally reputed experts of nutrition. Engro Food’s participation in this insightful forum reflects the commitment of this enterprise to improve the standards of nutrition in the society, while it inspires a white-revolution through tangible reforms that promise food-security and healthy nourishment for the masses.
The theme of this seminar was: “An Over-view of Food Safety and Nutrition Policies in the Western World: An Opportunity for Pakistan to Benefit from the Experience”. During the productive discussions, learned speakers like Dr. Atiq Rehman – Senior Scientific Project Coordinator, Bureau of Nutritional Sciences and Health Canada, along with Engro Foods’ Manager Regulatory Affairs – Dr. Mohammad Nasir, shared their wisdom with the audience. Notable policy-advisors like; Mr. Mustajab Ahmed, also represented the Pakistan Society of Food Scientists and Technologists (PSFST) to enlighten the large number of distinguished personalities from the private sector, business community, regulatory institutions, academic faculty and students, who attended the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Rehman said that; “Safe and Nutritious Food is a basic human right and is essential for a healthy nation. Government institutions play a key role in ensuring supply of safe and nutritious food. Pakistan’s food-regulators needs to realign their strategy, with the evolving needs, to ensure a sustainable future. The agricultural sector is currently at the cross roads to take maximum advantage of newer technologies to ensure food-security. The vast amount of data available in a digitized world can be smartly utilized to multiply agricultural output and optimize distribution and consumption of food products in every region, with more transparency.”
Dr. Rehman’s speech was followed by an elaborate discussion on the structure of Food regulatory bodies existing in countries like Canada, USA, EU, Australia and New Zealand. Pakistan must take advantage of the learnings from these developed nations. The participants concluded that; All stakeholders, institutions, businesses and universities must support the Government in achieving these national objectives. Every citizen is equally responsible for the supply of safe and nutritious food across the nation, especially the deprived segments. The role of science is critical in enhancing the per-acre yield, to meet the growing demands of the booming population in Pakistan and other South Asian countries.
The need for a centralized, more integrated food-regulatory body and monitoring system in Pakistan was also highlighted. Achievements of the provincial food-authorities were appreciated, as they have come a long way in implementation of reforms and new food-laws formulated by technically qualified experts.
Prof Dr Mahmood Saleem – Director ORIC Punjab University appreciated the efforts of Prof. Dr. Mohammad Saleem Haider – Director IAGS and Dr. Shinawar Waseem Ali, Coordinator Food Science and Technology, the founders of this informative seminar, which will create great opportunities for growth. It will create awareness among the masses while encouraging the public and private sector to work in cohesion. Towards the end of the event, Prof. Dr. Javed Iqbal Qazi – Dean Faculty of Life Sciences presented shields among the distinguished guests, to acknowledge their participation and great contributions to the food industry.
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