The State Food Testing Laboratory, Meghalaya in collaboration with the Commissionerate of Food Safety, Department of Health & Family Welfare today conducted a one day “Technical Session cum Food Awareness Safety” at the Conference Hall of the State Food Testing Laboratory, Pasteur Hill, Shillong. The inaugural function was graced by Dr. Joram Beda, Commissioner of Food Safety as Chief Guest and Dr. D Mishra, NFL, Kolkata as Guest of Honour.

Speaking at the inaugural programme, Commissioner and Secretary Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Joram Beda said that there is a need to advocate food safety as an important component of public health. He expressed appreciation to the Enforcement Wing of the Commissionerate of Food Safety who is putting its best efforts to bring to light the importance of food safety.

He further mentioned that the first ever scientific estimate on the global burden of food borne disease was done by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2015. He said that this study found that there are more than 600 million of food borne diseases and 4.5 lakh deaths due to food diseases every year. According to him, the worst part is the food disease and its effects as it disproportionately affects the group of population under 5 years of age and the low and middle income nations.

Dr. Joram Beda also said that the public are still unaware of the burden of food disease to public health and the economy, so he stressed on the importance of regular monitoring of food borne and zoonotic diseases in the State as well.

In her keynote address Dr. Wadamika Lyngdoh, Deputy Commissioner of Food Safety (Technical) said that the objective of the session is to equip the participants not only with technical skills but to understand the potential impact on society.

The Chief Guest along with other dignitaries felicitated the entrepreneurs from Ioalyn Single Bees Honey, KF Shadap Food- Turmeric (Lakadong) and Kynjai Wine during the inaugural programme.

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