CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) Mysuru, in collaboration with the Department of Women and Child Development and JSW Foundation, Bellary, has organised a two-day National Conference on ‘Malnutrition – Challenges, Success Stories and Way Forward,’ which was inaugurated at CFTRI premises in city this morning.

The conference was inaugurated by Dr. C.S. Kedar, CEO, JSW Foundation, Bellary.

Speaking after inaugurating the conference, Dr. Kedar said that the country was facing a major challenge in protecting nutrition in food and called upon the Scientists to work in providing more nutrition in food.

Stating that the problem of malnutrition was very less in developed countries when compared to India, Dr. Kedar said that the country was facing a major problem in Child Malnutrition.

He said that the challenges require taking into account the health and nutritional status of the target group, processing effects on the food designed, bio-availability and interaction of co-nutrients in the food matrix, shelf – life and safety as well as regulatory aspects without increasing the costs of the food.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) D. Randeep, who also spoke said that the Central and the State Governments have rolled out various schemes to combat malnutrition, which had become a major issue.

The DC, stating that the country needs a healthy population for which nutritional food was necessary added that such conferences would throw light on innovations and ideas to fight against malnutrition.

He said that 324 tribals living in a hamlet in H.D. Kote were suffering from malnutrition and added that it is the responsibility of all to see that each and every child does not suffer from malnutrition. He called upon the mothers of newborns to feed their infants with breast milk for two years to avoid their kids from malnutrition.

CFTRI Director Prof. Ram Rajasekharan, speaking on the occasion said that 56 per cent of the population in the country were malnourished according to the old Food Programme report and added that the CFTRI has been addressing the malnutrition issues by formulating many innovative products for more than six decades.

He said that the institute has earlier developed several nutritious foods to successfully cater to the needs of undernourished children.  Panel discussions and sessions on various topics were held in the afternoon, the conference will conclude tomorrow, and the valedictory session will be held at 1 pm tomorrow.