LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Sunday reaffirmed the provincial government's dedication to ensuring the availability of safe, nutritious, and high-quality food for every citizen. In her message commemorating World Food Safety Day, the chief minister underscored the critical role played by individuals involved in agriculture, food production, and supply chains in upholding food safety standards.
Importance of World Food Safety Day
Maryam Nawaz highlighted that World Food Safety Day serves as a reminder of the necessity to prevent food-borne diseases and hazards, alongside their timely detection and effective management. She noted that a comprehensive report detailing the global, regional, and national impacts of food-borne illnesses, deaths, and their repercussions on public health has been published.
Collective Responsibility
The chief minister emphasized that tackling food-borne diseases and malnutrition is a shared responsibility. She pointed out that Punjab is endowed with fertile land, hardworking farmers, and vast agricultural potential, yet it faces challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, population growth, and evolving food consumption patterns.
Government's Integrated Strategy
Maryam Nawaz stated that the provincial government is pursuing an integrated strategy to address these issues. She elaborated that comprehensive measures based on agricultural research and modern technology are being implemented to boost crop productivity and mitigate the effects of climate change. She called upon research institutions, the private sector, and civil society organizations to contribute to the development of a safe, resilient, and healthy food system.
Right to Quality Food
The chief minister asserted that providing citizens with pure, nutritious, and quality food, free from harmful chemicals, adulteration, and substandard ingredients, is a fundamental right. In line with her vision, the Punjab Food Authority is conducting stringent operations across the province against food adulteration and ensuring the availability of quality food.
Measures Against Food Wastage
She added that strict implementation of the one-dish policy at weddings and other events is being enforced to curb food wastage. Special measures have also been introduced to improve food standards and hygiene practices among small shopkeepers and street vendors. Furthermore, awareness campaigns are being conducted to encourage the public, especially children and young people, to adopt balanced and healthy diets instead of consuming junk food.
In other news, 34,000 Pakistani pilgrims have returned home, and the process continues.
