Organic canteens will soon be set up in all government hospitals. The announcement, made in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha by the state Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Thursday, comes as part of a broader effort to raise awareness about safe food practices, healthy diets, and sustainable eating habits.
The state government, recognizing the impact of nutrition on overall health, believed that every patient, doctor, and visitor in government healthcare facilities should have an access to clean, organic, and nutritious food.
Dr Balbir extended a warm invitation to all legislators, officers, and even media persons to participate in the ‘Eat Right’ Mela organized at the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Complex. The event, organized by the Punjab Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), was not just another awareness drive — it was a vibrant celebration of wholesome, chemical-free food. The venue was bustling with stalls run by self-help groups, dieticians from PGI, and food industry innovators, all coming together to promote the power of mindful eating.
At the heart of the mela was a delightful spread of millet-based delicacies — millet khichri, millet shakes, and millet kheer — which even found favour with Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Cabinet Ministers, and MLAs who sat down for a nutritious millet-based lunch. The event was not just about tasting good food but about reinforcing the message that health begins on our plates.
Dr Balbir, earlier addressing the Vidhan Sabha, emphasized the dire need for food safety and balanced diets, highlighting Punjab’s commitment to eradicating adulteration and promoting organic alternatives. He urged all MLAs to actively engage with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in their constituencies to ensure food safety awareness reaches the grassroots. “We have 23 mobile food testing vans that are vastly underutilized. These vans can detect food adulteration on the spot for a minimal fee of just Rs 50. I urge all MLAs to use this facility to protect their constituents from contaminated food,” he stressed.
Punjab FDA’s mobile testing vans, equipped with state-of-the-art tools, can examine over 150 parameters in essential commodities like milk, water, beverages, cereals, spices, and condiments.
Dr Balbir, highlighting the popularity of IVF clinics and knee replacements surgery, stressed that the reason for the same is our wrong eating habits.
The initiative is driven by three core themes — “If it’s not safe, it’s not food” (Safe Food), “Food should nourish both body and mind” (Healthy Diets), and “Food must be good for people and the planet” (Sustainable Diets).
Attendees engaged in quick adulteration tests, expert dietary consultations, and informative sessions on government schemes, making the event not just an educational platform but an immersive experience. Senior officials including Principal Secretary, Health, Kumar Rahul and FDA Commissioner Dilraj Singh were also present, lending their support to the initiative.
