Advancing Public Health through Innovative Food Safety Solutions: A Symposium on Modern Food Strategies & Practices, World Food Safety Day 2024
Department of Food Science and Technology and the Food Junction Society, in collaboration with Cheezious, Butt Sweets, UPM, and Eastern Scientific Cooperation, organized a one-day symposium at the University of Central Punjab, Lahore, to celebrate World Food Safety Day on June 12, 2024, the. The event, titled “Advancing Public Health through Innovative Food Safety Solutions: A Symposium on Modern Food Strategies & Practices,” was dedicated to raising awareness and sharing knowledge on food safety aspects, including chemical contamination, adulteration, and microbial hazards. These issues cause 550 million illnesses and 230,000 deaths annually due to the consumption of contaminated food highlighted by our academia and industrial experts. Our worthy Chief Guest of the event “Prof. Dr. Tahir Zahoor (Ex. Director General NIFSAT, Dean Nur International University) and Dr. Ijaz Ahmad (Director R & D (FBRC) at PCSIR addressed the occasion and highlighted that how we need to prepare for unexpected by controlling microbial hazards.
MOU signing ceremony took place at event in the presence of worthy guests and students and future collaborations were highlighted. Dr. Hafiza Rizwana Kausar signed MOU with Mian Muhammad Shahbaz CEO, Eastern Group of Companies in presence of Dr. Kanza Aziz Awan (HOD, FST). Mian Muhammad Shahbaz (CEO Eastern Group of Companies) Mr. Tariq Sarwar Awan (CEO Nosh foods and Five Star Flour Mill) also talked about food safety concerns and future collaborations.
After tea break technical session was conducted in which Ms. Nighat Jawad (CEO Food Tech Solutions, YUMZ) talked about entrepreneurship, Mr. Muhammad Shoaib (Country Head Quality Carrefour), Ms. Ayesha Azam (PWIPM), Mr. Rashid Warsi (Regional head Training & Development Cheezious) gave informative talks on food safety and public health awareness along with empowering women and food safety practices. Mr. Mubeen Arshad Awan (QA Head Yum Group Agribusiness Expert PRMI) gave insightful talk about food safety and shared important facts.
At the end of the event Panel discussion moderated by Mr. Shehryar (Lecturer FOST) featured industrial and academia panelist Dr. Mian Kamran Sharif (Associate Professor, Chair-Product development and value addition, PKNC, CEO-AAA-Nutrifood), Dr. Ahmad Din (Assistance Professor, Co-chair Policy advocacy and outreach, PKNC) NIFSAT- UAF, Mr. Umair Jawad, Mr. Hassan Munir, Mr. Rashid Warsi and Mr. Syed Iqbal Hussain, who discussed innovative food safety solutions, industry-academia collaboration, and the role of Evercare Hospital in ensuring food safety and nutrition. Together, these perspectives underscore the multifaceted approach needed to advance food safety practices. At the end of the event the questions were asked by the students to the panelist. Students made charts and posters to highlight the concerns of safety and their solutions.
The event concluded with Dr. Hafiza Rizwana Kausar, Dean, FOST and HOD Dr. Kanza Aziz Awan distributing souvenirs to the guests. Dr. Awan thanked the guests, faculty members, and students for their active participation in the event.
We strive for a more secure food future on Food Safety Day!
