Experts raise concerns over mandatory fortification of food items
The Hindu
Letter to FSSAI warns of adverse impact of policy on health and livelihoods.
In a pushback against the Centre’s plan to mandatorily fortify rice and edible oils with vitamins and minerals, a group of scientists and activists have written to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), warning of the adverse impacts on health and livelihoods. They cited multiple studies to show that dietary diversity and higher protein consumption are key to solving undernutrition in India, rather than adding a few synthetic micronutrients which could harm the health of consumers. The letter, sent on Monday to the FSSAI as well as the Food, Agriculture and Health Ministries and the Ministry of Women and Child Development, was signed by 170 individuals and organisations including eminent nutritionists, economists, doctors and farmers groups.After a long, tiring day all we want is to jump right on our cosy beds and rest comfortably on our soft, fluffy pillows, right? Pillows are not quite appreciated as much as electric cars or air-fryers, for instance. Pillows are a wonderful man-made creation that has improved the lives and sleep of people across the globe. Did you know ages ago people used to rest their heads on a HARD ROCK? So how did humans go from sleeping on stones to cosy, fluffy and soft pillows today? Let’s get into the origin of your everyday pillows!
As the November 30 deadline nears for installing vehicle location tracking devices (VLTD) and emergency panic buttons in public service and nationally permitted goods vehicles in Karnataka, transport unions representing cab, bus, and truck operators are urging the government to reconsider the mandate. They argue that the high cost of these devices and a lack of awareness have made it difficult for many vehicle owners to comply with the requirement.