‘We need to redefine food security’

Dietary intake of many do not meet nutrient requirements: VC

Prof. K.S. Rangappa Vice Chancellor, University of Mysore presenting the AFSTI Fellow award to Dr. KSMA. Raghavaro during the 7th International Food Convention-2013 in Mysore on Wednesday.PHOTO: — M.A. SRIRAM

Vice-Chancellor of University of Mysore K.S. Rangappa, on Wednesday, emphasised the need to redefine food security for accessing nutritious and safe food.

“Though we are in a modern technological and scientifically advanced era, we still have to deal with disease outbreaks related to consumption of foods,” he said.

Inaugurating the 7th International Food Convention (IFCON-2013) on ‘NSURE (Nutritional Security through Sustainable Development, Research and Education) – Healthy Foods’ here, the Vice-Chancellor said any policy that speaks to promote food and nutritional security and sustainability should adequately address the issues of food safety too.

Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India) organised the four-day convention, with support from CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore; DRDO-Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), Mysore, and National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), Kundli, Haryana.

Addressing a gathering of food scientists from India and abroad, Prof. Rangappa said in spite of considerable reduction in food insecurity in the last two decades, dietary intake of large segments of population do not meet the energy and nutrient requirements, thereby leading to widespread under-nutrition and micro-nutrient deficiencies.

He said lesser physical activity and food intake beyond requirements can lead to adverse health consequences, especially those related to over nutrition.

Food database

India has been in the forefront of creating National Food and Nutrition Databases, documenting the ongoing agriculture, food, nutrition and health transitions, he said.

Also, he said that Indian scientists have had a major role in these global efforts to moderate these measures to ensure smooth transition in terms of food security and sustainability in relation to nutrition and health.

However, in spite of relatively good performance in economic, agriculture and health sectors, and substantial investment in nutrition sectors, the country has lagged behind in addressing under-nutrition or over-nutrition alike, Prof. Rangappa opined.

CSIR-CFTRI Director Ram Rajashekaran, DRDO-DFRL Director H.V. Batra, NIFTEM Director and Vice-Chancellor Ajit Kumar, AAFSIS president Navam S. Hettiarachchy, AFST-I president K.D. Yadav and honorary secretary N. Bhaskar were present.

AFST-I awards

On the occasion, the AFST-I awards were presented to eminent scientists.

AFST-I Fellow was presented to K.S.M.S Raghav Rao, chief scientist, CSIR-CFTRI, Mysore; Laljee Godhoo Smarak Nidhi award to P. Giridhar, Principal Scientist, CSIR-CFTRI, Mysore; Prof. Jiwan Singh Sidhu award to Bimlesh Mann, scientist, NDRI, Karnal. Other scientists also received awards.

Novel foods

Prior to the opening of IFCON-2013, Dr. Rajashekaran spoke on ‘Novel foods: a food for thought!’ at the plenary talks as part of the convention. John Ruff, immediate past president, IFT, U.S., gave a talk on ‘The challenges in assuring food safety and security: a global perspective.’

Green milk

Designer green milk, a new product developed by a team of CSIR-CFTRI scientists, led by Dr. Rajashekaran, was unveiled in the presence food scientists and technologists.

The green milk is described as “the food for future” as it is designed to address the nutritional needs and processed from locally available plant sources.

There was an interaction on this product after the presentation by Dr. Rajashekaran.

The delegates had the opportunity to taste the green milk.

Food expo

Technical sessions and food expo will be held on the campus of CSIR-CFTRI from Thursday. Poster session is also scheduled from Thursday. There will be 21 sessions and about 100 eminent professionals from research institutions, academia and industry will deliver talks on topics including food security and sustainability, food process and engineering, food health and nutrition, food entrepreneurship and so on.