Dr. Raj Bhandari’s talk during FICCI Conference – 2024
“The FICCI Conference on the Role of Pre-Packaged Foods in Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024” which was held on 9th of August 2024, at Hotel Marriot in Hyderabad was organized in response to the updated ICMR NIN Dietary Guidelines 2024. These guidelines particularly focused on combating the dual challenges of malnutrition and rising obesity rates.
The conference brought together key stakeholders from the food industry, government, academia, and public health sectors to discuss the implications of these new guidelines.
Upon receiving the esteemed invitation from the FICCI Board to address their distinguished gathering, Dr. Raj Bhandari, MBBS, MD, a senior paediatrician and member of the National Technical Board of Nutrition (NTBN), was honoured to attend the event. He also serves as an advisor at Annapoorna Trust.
The event commenced with the opening address by Mr. Tarun Arora, Chair of FCNE. Mr. Arora emphasized the critical role of innovation in the packaged food industry to ensure that nutritious food is both accessible and affordable.
Following this, Dr. Raj Bhandari delivered an engaging keynote address, sharing his journey from paediatric care to public health advocacy. He explored the evolution of nutrition practices in India, highlighting the shift from a focus on therapeutic to preventive nutrition. Dr. Bhandari urged the food industry to adopt a balanced approach in product development by reducing sugar and fat content while ensuring that foods remain tasty and appealing.
He also stressed the importance of educating consumers about the health risks associated with high sugar and fat intake and encouraged the industry to find innovative ways to make healthier foods more enjoyable. Furthermore, Dr. Bhandari emphasized the need for continued research into the long-term impacts of dietary habits on health. In his concluding remarks, he underscored the transformative potential of public health initiatives in reshaping the dietary landscape in India.
The event featured a lineup of speakers each bringing valuable insights. Mr. Siraj Hussain, Former Secretary, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries set the tone by stressing the need for the food industry to strike a balance between convenience and nutrition.
Next, Shri G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, IAS, CEO of FSSAI, took the stage to tackle the regulatory challenges associated with ensuring food safety and nutritional quality in pre-packaged foods.
Dr. Hemalatha R., Former Director, ICMR – National Institute of Nutrition, presented the updated dietary guidelines for 2024. She passionately emphasized the crucial role of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes in enriching the Indian diet. She introduced the concept of “My Plate for the Day,” which visually represents the recommended proportions of various food groups.
Dr. Sridevi Annapurna Singh, Director, CFTRI, focused on the role of food processing in enhancing food security and nutrition in India. She discussed the importance of innovations in food processing that retain the nutritional quality of foods while addressing issues of food safety and shelf life.
The session included open Q&A segments where participants asked valuable questions. The panel provided insightful answers that proved highly beneficial to the audience.
After the session, Mr. Dhananjay Rao, Operations Manager and representative of The Annapoorna Trust, had the opportunity to engage with the esteemed panellists. He highlighted the Trust’s efforts to support 10 million children across India and emphasized the crucial role of nutrition in the Trust’s Morning Nutrition initiatives for rural children.
