RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) has decided to introduce a food helpline, first of its kind in the country, to extend free food-related consultancy to the masses.

A large number of people are facing the issues of stunted growth, health maintenance and reproduction in Punjab due to lack of balanced diet. A huge portion of the population did not know what to eat and what to avoid which is a big reason behind increasing health-related issues and food-borne diseases.

According to the national nutrition survey, 44 percent children and 60 percent women are suffering from nutritional issues in Punjab which is a serious threat to this nation.

Introduction of food helpline was decided in a meeting held to review progress of public awareness wing chaired by Director General Muhammad Usman. The DG said the purpose of the call centre is to spread awareness about food-related issues and remedies with a focus on disenfranchised diseases by guiding people. He said names of qualified nutrition experts would be placed on the helpline to give their expert advice to callers and answer of queries of citizens. He said that consumers will be referred to nutrition clinic for further consultation. The DG also directed the Authority to launch a monthly magazine on public awareness health issues.

Meanwhile, during a routine checking, the Authority sealed 31 ice factories and served 156 notices for improvement during an operation against substandard ice factories throughout the province. In a daylong activity, 287 ice factories were checked by the food safety teams. Muhammad Usman also directed Additional Director General (Technical) Dr Shahzaib Hasnain to submit a draft for the expansion of food safety laboratories within five days.