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Work shop on Food Fortification organized by CII-FACE; GAIN; and Consumer VOICE

Today micronutrient malnutrition in India is putting a significant section of the population, particularly women and children at the risk of under-nutrition and poor health outcomes. Over the years, the harmful outcomes. Over the years, the harmful effects of these vitamin and mineral deficiencies have been realized and are seen as a pressing public health challenge across the globe. Recognizing these various State Governments in India have identified Fortification as an effective mechanism to address the micronutrient gaps in our regular diet and have included it as a part of their mission to curtail malnutrition.

We believe that Indian Food Industry is also cognizant of this fact and have been in the process of undertaking product innovation that includes micronutrient fortification of food products ranging from staples that are consumed widely across income groups to processed varieties.

To supplement these efforts the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has collaborated with Global alliance for Improving Nutrition (GAIN) and Consumer VOICE and launched an initiative on National Edible Oil Fortification. The project aims at building consensus around fortification as an Industry –led initiative. A National Alliance for Edible Oil Fortification (NAOF) has been constituted with representatives from eminent institutes, industries and associations to build consensus and extend the current portfolio of edible oils.

As a part of this initiative Consumer VOICE & CII is organizing Stakeholder Consultation on Oil Fortification across all major cities of India. This consultation is an attempt to build consensus and awareness on fortification of edible oil among all consumers and other stakeholders as an industry-led voluntary initiative in India.

A drive against malnutrition

Press release Chandigarh Dated: 24/06/2015

Work shop on Food Fortification organized by CII-FACE; GAIN; and Consumer VOICE

War on malnutrition can be won through food fortification

We need to wholeheartedly support this initiative –Dr. Anshu Kataria- President Chandigarh Management Association

Chandigarh June 24: Confederation of Indian Industries – Food and Agriculture Center of Excellence (CII-FACE), Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), and Consumer VOICE jointly launched “A drive against malnutrition” by holding a STAKEHOLDER’s Workshop at Mohali in collaboration with Citizen Awareness Group.

In this well attended workshop speakers highlighted the need for Food Fortification and its importance for attacking malnutrition as well as life style related health issues. Mr. Ashim Sanyal, Chief Operating Officer Consumer VOCE explained why food fortification for micronutrient deficiencies is the need of the hour, how it is done and which staple foods are targeted.

Food fortification is increasingly recognized as an effective complementary strategy to combat malnutrition. Staple food fortification, i.e. through the fortification of commonly consumed staples such as wheat flour, edible oil, milk and salt, offers an ideal mechanism to deliver critical vitamins and minerals, such as iron, folic acid, vitamins A, D, B12 and similar to large populations thereby slowly but surely building resilience resulting in positive health and nutritional outcomes. In India, there are several examples of staple food fortification with Iodised Salt being the most recognized public nutrition initiative of the Government of India.

There was a very active participation by audience including Mr.Vinod Kapoor who shared his experience in food fortification. Mr. Surendra Verma of Citizen Awareness Group welcomed the gathering which included Chandigarh Management Association who were also main support organization with Mr. Jagtaran Singh Nayyar and Mr. JN Vohra.

Media also actively supported this intuitive including Dr. Deepti Shastri.

Dr. S.K. Surila, Ex. Civil Surgeon, Mohali presented the work done on Food Fortification in Mohali and its overall impact on Punjab population.

Audience consisted of knowledgeable and committed opinion leaders who participated actively with a commitment to spread the message wider.

Now our media friends are requested to spread this message the benefit of general population.

Contact: Consumer VOICE – Ph: 9350998460 OR Mr. Surinder Verma Ph:9643818805

Press Release on Food Fortification – A DRIVE AGAINST MALNUTRITION

INDIAN GOVERNMENT, ASSISTED by international agencies and non-governmental organizations and industry, have for many decades taken steps to eliminate or reduce micronutrient deficiencies. Building on the impressive results of the reduction in iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) through the fortification of table salt with iodine, vigorous efforts are currently being made to address other micronutrient deficiencies through the fortification of appropriate foods.
The term “food fortification” means the addition of nutrients at levels higher than those found in the original food. Fortification is synonymous with enrichment. Restoration means that nutrients are added to a food to compensate for the loss of nutrients during processing. Generally, food fortification is undertaken at the industrial level, although food fortification can also take place at the household or community levels.
Mass fortification refers to the addition of micronutrients to foods commonly consumed by the general public (such as cereals and condiments), which is instigated, mandated and regulated by the government sector. Universal fortification refers to the fortification of foods consumed by animals as well as humans, with iodization of salt as the main example. Targeted fortification programs also exist, for example the distribution of biscuits fortified with a certain number of vitamins and minerals in school food programs. Furthermore, fortification of some foods (e.g. wheat flour) with specific nutrients at specific levels may be either mandatory (legislated through governments) or voluntary.
To support this humanitarian effort Consumer VOICE along with CII-FACE and GAIN (Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition) have undertaken a massive all India campaign to educate and involve all the stakeholders by holding consultations in all the State Capitals and Union Territories.
In this series, Stakeholders Consultation on Food Fortification is being held –

In Panchkula, Haryana on 22nd June
In Mohali, Punjab on 23rd June
In Chandigarh on 24th June

You are cordially invited to be part of this consultation and also to provide widest publicity to this “Drive against Malnutrition”.
Consumer VOICE

Governor talks of Skill Development on CMA’s 48th Foundation Day

Governor talks of Skill Development on CMA’s 48th Foundation Day

Chandigarh 28 May

Chandigarh Management Association (CMA) organized an Education summit on its 48th Foundation Day today at PHD Chamber, Sector 31, Chandigarh. The theme of the event was “Skill Development in India-Challenges & Opportunities”. His excellency, Sh. Kaptan Singh Solanki, Governor, Haryana & Punjab was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Mrs Kirron Kher, MP, Chandigarh; Sh. Rakesh Verma IAS, Secretary, Technical Education; Mr. K.K Kataria, Director, Technical Education, Haryana were the Guests of Honour on the occasion. Dr. Anshu Kataria, President, CMA and Chairman, Aryans Group of Colleges presided over the event.

Dr. Anshu Kataria in his inaugural speech welcomed all the dignitaries on the occasion. He said that since CMA is 48 years old association but still it does not have its own office. He demanded a piece of land or space in any of the Government office in Chandigarh for its operation.

His Excellency, Sh. Kaptan Singh Solanki in his key note address congratulated CMA on its 48th Foundation day. He congratulated Dr. Anshu Kataria, President, CMA to complete his tenure as one of the youngest, Dynamic and Enthusiastic President of the oldest association twice.

Speaking on the topic he highlighted the need of Modi’s 3D formula i.e democracy, demography, demand and 3S i.e Skill, Scale and Speed. He added that more than 700 million Indians are estimated to be of working age by 2022. Out of these, more than 500 million require some kind of vocational or skill development training.

Mrs. Kirron Kher while speaking on the occasion stressed upon developing an appropriate training system instead of teaching syllabus only in all academic institutions and universities for a better growth and sustainable skill development in all spheres of the nation. Also she accentuated that “Skill India & Happy India” will be a better way to give a pleasant smile on the face of our nation.

Sh. Rakesh Verma IAS, Secretary, Technical Education & Industrial Training said that the Punjab state government has aimed to skill 300,000 youth mentioned 2014-15 budget with over Rs. 500 crore. India is expected to grow at a rate of 8%, on an average, in the next 10 years. He strained upon the need of harness the human capital with the requisite set of skills in both fields information related to job and ethics.

Dr. Anshu Kataria, President, CMA and Chairman, Aryans Group of Colleges highlighting the issue said that Hon’ble Prime Minister Modi had in his maiden Independence Day speech invited companies across the world to make their products in India and create jobs in the labour-intensive manufacturing sectors.

Kataria further added that the ministry aims to open 1,500-2,000 centres in the next two years and the entire cost of the programme is likely to be Rs.1,500 crore to Rs.2,000 crore a year, well within the budget allocation of the rural livelihood mission, which was Rs.4,000 crore.

At the end of the occasion, knowledge partners S. Gurfateh Singh, Adesh Group of Institutions; S. Gurpreet Singh, Universal Group; Mr. Anoop Bansal, Gulzar Group of Institutions; Service Partner, Mr. Neeraj Sood, Director, Loyal Hut were honoured by the Governor on the occasion.

Mr. J. N. Vohra, Joint Secretary was the moderator of the event. Among Past Presidents, CMA: Mr. Karamjit Singh, Mr. PK Vasudeva, S. Charanjit Singh, Mr. Satish Kapoor, Sh. Gurdeep S. Deep were present. Apart from others Mr. J.S. Nayyar, Vice President; Mr. R.K. Nayyar; Dr. Ashwani Vig; Col. M.G.S Khurana; Anil Kumar Arora etc. were also present on the occasion.