FSSAI wants children to be taught healthy eating habits, says threat to progress

According to a top FSSAI official, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently wrote to the National Council of Educational Research (NCERT) asking it to provide more information related to food safety, nutrition and healthy diet in the school curriculum. Is.

The FSSAI gave this advice after reviewing the textbooks for classes 1-12. In India, children suffer from undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and in urban areas, they are at higher risk of childhood obesity.

“Our team reviewed the NCERT textbooks of classes 1-12 for all subjects and they analyzed that there is a need to revise the existing material in the syllabus related to food safety. We want that children of every age group should get proper information about healthy food and safety because children have the potential to change the society. Hence, we have reached out to NCERT with our recommendation to add more information on healthy eating habits,” said Arun Singhal, chief executive officer, FSSAI.

Even as India struggles to address the problem of undernutrition among children in rural areas, there is an emerging trend of children in urban areas becoming overweight and obese – another health hazard that leaves them unaccompanied. -Puts at risk of onset of communicable diseases.

Prof Dinesh Saklani, Director, NCERT said, “We have received the recommendation of FSSAI. We will keep FSSAI’s suggestions in mind whenever our new books come out in the future.” According to a report by the World Obesity Federation, India is projected to have over 27 million children with obesity by 2030, which is the highest in the region. Obese children represent more than half of all children, and 1 in 10 of all children globally. Childhood obesity is now a growing public health concern in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including India.

“FSSAI reviews the existing syllabus of NCERT books from different classes. It was felt that there is scope to integrate information related to food safety, nutrition and healthy diet in the curriculum. Possible topics that could be covered in each class have been tried and attached. It has come to our notice that NCERT books are subject to revision for all classes, thus this would be a good opportunity to integrate these subjects. Singhal, Joint Director of NCERT, Prof. “It is requested to nominate a nodal person with whom further discussions can take place,” Sridhar Srivastava said in a communication reviewed by Mint.

“The triple burden of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and increasing underweight/obesity especially in children threaten social and economic development in India. Given that childhood dietary behaviors track into adulthood and food preferences often It is essential to cultivate healthy food choices in school-age children through age-appropriate interventions that are formed during the school years,” said Sanchar.