In commemoration of the National Nutrition Week, the Department of Biotechnology, St Xavier’s College, in collaboration with the Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Government of Goa, organized a one-day workshop themed “Eat Right for a Better Life” The event aimed to raise awareness about informed food choices and empower students to become ambassadors of healthy living.
The Officiating Principal, Ms Ursula Barreto in her welcome address called upon the young participants to practice three simple eat right rules: eat local and seasonal, eat balanced and on time and respect food and eat mindfully. The Chief Guest, Ms Dorothy Pereira, Food Safety and Hygiene Manager – Taj Hotels (IHCL) in her opening remarks highlighted the importance of going back to our roots and following traditions with respect to food habits. She also stressed on eating seasonal foods for healthy living.
The itinerary featured technical sessions focusing on the scientific and practical aspects of food safety and nutrition, by Resource Persons, Ms Dorothy Pereira and Ms Ishana Hameed, Nutrition Expert at Start Healthy Pvt Ltd. Ms Pereira enlightened the participants on FoSCoS website and other handy methods to detect and report non- compliances in food safety regulation. While Ms Hameed explained living well and adaptive exercising.
Mr. Darlane Diukar, Mr Amit Mandrekar and Ms Mayuri Shetgaoar demonstrated testing of food for adulterants. Students and staff from 11 different institutions across Goa participated in the workshop. The event also promoted display of talent and skill through competitions like rangoli, poster and cooking competitions. The event host Dr Larissa Menezes kept the audience updated with the schedule of the day, while Mr Vishal Mardolkar and Ms Emma Fernandes coordinated the conduct of the competitions.
At the valedictory session, Mr. Richard Noronha, Designated Officer, FDA and an alumnus of the College, expressed his thoughts about his journey from biotechnology to FDA, about the role FDA plays in food safety in Goa. The prize winners of the competition were Mr. Harsh Sadashiv Parab and Ms. Siddhi Santosh Sawant from Government College Khandola, Ms Leah Fernandes & Ms Dimple Purohit of St Xavier’s College. The poster titled – Ditching the junk, embracing the crunch: smart snacking for kids, by Ms Dimple Purohit was judged as the best. Ms Jenica Rangel the coordinator of the event proposed the vote of thanks.
