10 Facts WHO Wants You To Know On Food Safety

By Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh |

10 facts WHO wants you to know on food safety

“Food safety: from farm to plate, make food safe” is the theme of World Health Day 2015. The day focuses on demonstrating the importance of food safety along the whole length of the food chain in a globalised world, from production and transport, to preparation and consumption.

Over the past half century, the process by which food gets from the farm to the plate has changed drastically. Food contamination that occurs in one place may affect the health of consumers elsewhere. This means that everyone along the production chain, from producer to consumer, must observe safe food handling practices.

As per Dr Poonam Khetrapal, Regional Director, WHO SEARO, “Food safety is critical for public health as foodborne diseases affect people’s health and well-being. Unsafe food creates a vicious cycle of disease and malnutrition, particularly affecting infants, young children, the elderly and the sick. Foodborne diseases impede socio-economic development by straining health care systems and adversely impacting national economies, tourism and trade.”

Here are ten important facts that everyone should know about food safety.

1. More than 200 diseases are spread through food.

Millions of people fall ill every year and many die as a result of eating unsafe food. Diarrhoeal diseases alone kill an estimated 1.5 million children annually, and most of these illnesses are attributed to contaminated food or drinking water. Proper food preparation can prevent most foodborne diseases.

2. Contaminated food can cause long-term health problems.

The most common symptoms of foodborne disease are stomach pains, vomiting and diarrhoea. Food contaminated with heavy metals or with naturally occurring toxins can also cause long-term health problems including cancer and neurological disorders.

3. Foodborne diseases affect vulnerable people harder than other groups.

Infections caused by contaminated food have a much higher impact on populations with poor or fragile health status and can easily lead to serious illness and death. For infants, pregnant women, the sick and the elderly, the consequences of foodborne disease are usually more severe and may be fatal.

4. There are many opportunities for food contamination to take place.
Today’s food supply is complex and involves a range of different stages including on-farm production, slaughtering or harvesting, processing, storage, transport and distribution before the food reaches the consumers.

5. Globalization makes food safety more complex and essential.

Globalization of food production and trade is making the food chain longer and complicates foodborne disease outbreak investigation and product recall in case of emergency.

6. Food safety needs multisectoral and multidisciplinary action

To improve food safety, a multitude of different professionals are working together, making use of the best available science and technologies. Different governmental departments and agencies, encompassing public health, agriculture, education and trade, need to collaborate and communicate with each other and engage with the civil society including consumer groups.

7. Food contamination also affects the economy and society as a whole.

Food contamination has far reaching effects beyond direct public health consequences – it undermines food exports, tourism, livelihoods of food handlers and economic development, both in developed and developing countries.

8. Some harmful bacteria are becoming resistant to drug treatments.

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global health concern. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in animal husbandry, in addition to human clinical uses, is one of the factors leading to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in animals may be transmitted to humans via food.

9. Everybody has a role to play in keeping food safe.

Food safety is a shared responsibility between governments, industry, producers, academia, and consumers. Everyone has a role to play. Achieving food safety is a multi-sectoral effort requiring expertise from a range of different disciplines – toxicology, microbiology, parasitology, nutrition, health economics, and human and veterinary medicine. Local communities, women’s groups and school education also play an important role. You can keep food safe in your kitchen by applying the five keys to food safety: keep kitchen, utensils, hands clean while cooking, separate raw from cooked food, cook food thoroughly, keep food at safe temperatures, use safe raw materials.

10. Consumers arm yourself with  information on how to keep your food safe!

People should make informed and wise food choices and adopt adequate behaviors. They should know common food hazards and how to handle food safely, using the information provided in food labelling. 

BENEFITS OF WATERMELON

watermelon is actually considered a nutrient dense food, a food that provides a high amount of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for a low amount of calories.

Watermelons have become synonymous with summer and picnics, and for good reason. Their refreshing quality and sweet taste help to combat the heat and also provide a guilt-free, low maintenance dessert for kids and adults alike to enjoy.

Along with cantaloupe and honeydew, watermelons are a member of the botanical family Cucurbitaceae. There are five common types of watermelon: seeded, seedless, mini (also known as personal), yellow and orange.

This MNT Knowledge Center feature is part of a collection of articles on the health benefits of popular foods.

Contents of this article:

1. Nutritional breakdown
2. Possible health benefits
3. How to incorporate more watermelon into your diet
4. Potential health risks

Nutritional breakdown

Along with cantaloupe and honeydew, watermelons are a member of the botanical family Cucurbitaceae.

One cup of diced watermelon (152 grams) contains 43calories, 0 grams of fat, 2 grams of sodium, 11 grams ofcarbohydrate (including 9 grams of sugar and 1 gram of fiber) and 1 gram of fiber. One cup of watermelon will provide 17% of vitamin A, 21% of vitamin C, 2% of iron and 1% of calcium needs for the day.

Watermelon also contains thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, choline, lycopene and betaine. According to the National Watermelon Promotion Board, watermelon contains more lycopene than any other fruit or vegetable.

Despite being a great source of the above nutrients, watermelon is made up of 92% water.

Possible health benefits

Consuming fruits and vegetables of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like watermelon decreases the risk of obesity and overall mortality, diabetes, heart disease and promotes a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy, overall lower weight.

Asthma prevention: The risks for developing asthma are lower in people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients. One of these nutrients is vitamin C, found in many fruits and vegetables including watermelon.

Blood pressure: A study published by the American Journal of Hypertension found that watermelon extract supplementation reduced ankle blood pressure, brachial blood pressure and carotid wave reflection in obese middle-aged adults with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension and that watermelon extract improved arterial function.

Diets rich in lycopene may help protect against heart disease.

Cancer: As an excellent source of the strong antioxidant vitamin C as well as other antioxidants, watermelon can help combat the formation of free radicals known to cause cancer. Lycopene intake has been linked with a decreased risk of prostate cancer prevention in several studies.

Digestion and regularity: Watermelon, because of its water and fiber content, helps to prevent constipation and promote regularity for a healthy digestive tract.

Hydration: Made up of 92% water and full of important electrolytes, watermelon is a great snack to have on hand during the hot summer months to prevent dehydration.

Inflammation: Choline is a very important and versatile nutrient in watermelon that aids our bodies in sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory. Choline also helps to maintain the structure of cellular membranes, aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, assists in the absorption of fat and reduces chronic inflammation.¹

Muscle soreness: Watermelon and watermelon juice have been shown to reduce muscle soreness and improve recovery time following exercise in athletes. Researchers believe this is likely do to the amino acid L-citrulline contained in watermelon.

Skin: Watermelon is also great for your skin because it contains vitamin A, a nutrient required for sebum production that keeps hair moisturized. Vitamin A is also necessary for the growth of all bodily tissues, including skin and hair.

Adequate intake of vitamin C (one cup of watermelon provides 21% of daily needs) is also needed for the building and maintenance of collagen, which provides structure to skin and hair. Watermelon also contributes to overall hydration, which is vital for having healthy looking skin and hair.

How to incorporate more watermelon into your diet

Jazz up a boring salad by adding watermelon or add to a few ice cubes in a blender for a cold refreshing treat!

Look for a watermelon that is firm, heavy and symmetrical without soft spots or bruising.

Place diced watermelon and a few ice cubes in a blender for a cold refreshing treat that's perfect for rehydrating after exercise or a day in the sun.

Jazz up a boring salad by adding watermelon, mint and fresh mozzarella to a bed of spinach leaves. Drizzle with balsamic.

Visit the National Watermelon Board's recipe site for even more fun, inventive ideas on how to incorporate more watermelon into your diet.

Potential health risks

It is the total diet or overall eating pattern that is most important in disease prevention and achieving good health. It is better to eat a diet with variety than to concentrate on individual foods as the key to good health.

Navratri 2015: Why Are Grains Avoided During Fasting?

Navratri is one of the most important festivals of Hindus, celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement all across the country. Traditionally associated with Goddess Durga and worshipping her nine incarnations, the festival holds significance in north India, West Bengal, as well as the central and western regions of the country.

While some strictly believe in holding fast for all nine days, most people fast only on the first and the last days, and a few just abstain from consuming alcohol, onion, garlic or non-vegetarian items. Interestingly, the festival chalks out a strict list of food items that one can consume while fasting. It is during Navratras that a few ingredients - which otherwise get a convenient skip in a regular Indian kitchen - resume utmost importance.

So, why is it that a set of food items are strictly prohibited during the festival? What difference does rock salt consumption has over the regular table salt? We got our thinking caps on and tried to reason the above and many other similar questions associated with Navratri.

Religious Belief

The concept of observing a fast has many connotations. On religious grounds, fasting is a way to get closer to the almighty. Many cultures believe that abstinence facilitates spiritual purification leading to a stronger willpower. It is also seen as a way to emulate and inculcate in oneself, virtues like self-discipline and stoicism. Those who fast therefore give up on their regular food and switch to lighter food items as a way to practice abstinence and move closer to God. Many people also restrict themselves from consuming water on the days of fasting. This no-food-no-water fast is known as Nirjala Vrat.

Scientific Facts

For those of you who scoff at the idea of religion and science going hand in hand, here we bring you the logic behind shunning a few food items and embracing certain others during fasts. Though, traditionally in Hinduism, the consumption of alcohol and non-vegetarian food is considered inauspicious and unholy, there is solid science behind it.

Navratri is celebrated twice a year and if you have noticed, every time it falls during the change of season. From an Ayurvedic perspective, eating foods like meat, grains, alcohol, onion, garlic etc. attract and absorb negative energies and should be avoided during a seasonal change when our bodies tend to have low immunity and are more susceptible to fall sick.

Navratri: Fasting, Feasting the Healthy Way

Foods that make it to the table

Fasting is also seen as a way to give the body a much needed break from the regular dietary routine. This explains the choice of food items that are light on the stomach, easy on digestion but are full of nutrients. Grains, especially whole grains like millets, wheat, etc. slow down the process of digestion, that's why these are eliminated. Much importance is given to the consumption of daily products, fruits, juices and light vegetables.

Many see fasting as an opportunity to merge devotion with practicing a lifestyle that can help one detox. Spices and ingredients like garlic and onion act as disrupters in detoxing and flushing toxins out of the body. The idea is to stay away or avoid processed food items as much as possible; this supports the choice of natural, unprocessed rock salt - sendha namak - over the regular, iodized, table salt.

Since breads form a crucial part of a regular Indian diet, a few food items like buckwheat (kuttu), water caltrop (singhada) and tapioca pearls (sabutdana) go into the making of variety of flours, which could easily fill in the space created by the absence of millet and grain based breads.

Health expert and nutritionist Dr. Ritika Samaddar, stresses on the nutritional efficacy of these food items. She explains how these food items strategically meet the nutritional requirement of our body and at the same time are light on our digestion. "Buckwheat is gluten free at the same time is extremely nutritious. It is enriched with fibre, protein, Vitamin B, magnesium and phosphorus. It serves as a great option during fasts," noted Dr. Samaddar.

Another ingredient that attains great importance during Navratris and has now become one of the newest superfoods is ramdana, popularly known as amaranth. It's gluten free, low on glycemic load, enriched with antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals. Popular for its laddoos and chikki, this goes into some of the most mouth-watering preparations tailor-made for the fasting lot.

Gluten-Free Amaranth: Why is it a Superfood?

With the science all crystal clear, we hope that this Navratri is even more joyous and fulfilling for you. Just in case you want some inspiration or Navratri recipes with a spin of creativity, we have our best recipes hand-picked for you.

15 March is World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD), an annual occasion for celebration and solidarity within the international consumer movement. It marks the date in 1962 President John F Kennedy first outlined the definition of Consumer Rights.

WCRD is an opportunity to promote the basic rights of all consumers, for demanding that those rights are respected and protected, and for protesting the market abuses and social injustices which undermine them.

WCRD was first observed on 15 March 1983, and has since become an important occasion for mobilising citizen action.In India Consumer Rights are there but they are not followed by the Government of States due to bIg Corp orates pressures & Corruption

World Kidney Day 2015

World Kidney Day 2015

World Kidney Day is a global health campaign celebrated every year all across the world focusing the health and importance of the major body organ, kidneys to reduce the occurrence of kidney diseases as well as related health problems. It is commemorated worldwide on annual basis on the 2nd Thursday of March. It was started celebrating in the year 2006 by the 66 countries which were increased to become 88 countries in just 2 years.

The celebration was initiated by the joint committee of “International Society of Nephrology and International Federation of Kidney Foundations”. It is commemorated every year by the health organizations on global basis to raise awareness among common people that most of the kidney diseases are preventable and curable. Health organizations organize this campaign at many places to spread messages about kidney diseases, complications and its prevention and cure all across the countries.

Why World Kidney Day is Celebrated / Objectives of World Kidney Day

World kidney day is celebrated all over the world on second of Thursday in the month of March in order to raise the public awareness about the kidneys importance and its contributions to the overall health. It is celebrated to make the common public aware about the diseases and problems of the kidneys in order to reduce the occurrence of kidney diseases as well as all the associated health problems of the kidneys. Some of the objectives of celebrating the world kidney day are mentioned below:

• It is celebrated to highlight the kidney problems related to the common health disorders like diabetes, high blood pressure which may lead to the Chronic Kidney Diseases.
• It is celebrated to encourage the common public through the systematic screening of all patients having problems like diabetes or hypertension.
• It is celebrated to motivate and promote the common public for the better prevention by describing them all aspects of the prevention measures in order to get prevented from such kidney problems.
• It is celebrated to instruct the medical professionals about all aspects of the kidneys as well as teaching them to play their key role in the detection and prevention of kidneys problems among the people of high risk populations.
• It is celebrated to get together of all the medical professionals from the local and national health authorities in order to control the spread of Chronic Kidney Diseases.
• It is celebrated to deal with the high risk problems as well as implement the new strategies by motivating all the governments’ authorities.
• It is celebrated to encourage the people about the kidneys donation and transplantation as a best option of life saving for getting free from the kidney failure or other Chronic Kidney Diseases.
• It is celebrated to encourage the people for the early detection and prevention methods of the kidney problems to reduce the future complications and deaths and disability from the chronic renal and cardiovascular failure.