GILGIT: Canadian Aid agency Nutrition International will establish the first-ever food testing laboratory in Gilgit-Baltistan, its National Program Manager Zameer Haider announced on Monday.
Addressing a day-long workshop in Gilgit, he highlighted the importance of nutrition for better health and quality of life.
In collaboration with the Food department of Gilgit-Baltistan, the aid agency organized the workshop.
Secretary Food Gilgit Baltistan Momin Jan said that the Gilgit-Baltistan government had taken an important step towards improving the nutritional condition of its people by mandating the strengthening of edible oil with vitamins A and D.
Food-testing laboratory to reduce vitamins deficiency
This move is expected to considerably reduce vitamin A and D deficiencies, which is a prevalent problem in the area.
He said that this edible oil would be available in the market at affordable prices, and the government is committed to establishing a regulatory authority to ensure efficiency in this regard.
He said that the authority would monitor fortified oil’s production, marketing, and import and ensure it fulfills the required standards.
The secretary said that the government is committed to improving its people’s health and life quality.
Nazia Shuja, Nutrition Officer at the health department of Gilgit Baltistan, said that the situation of malnutrition in the region is alarming as there is no such authority which to address the issue.
She added that the role of the health and nutrition department in focusing on nutrition issues, and mental child and adolescent health in the region could not be ignored.
