The University of Agriculture Faisalabad food scientists developed a multigrain titled maxgrain flour to cope with gigantic malnutrition that is hitting more than 50 percent of population.
It was stated by UAF Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Ashraf while addressing a workshop titled composite flour technology. It was arranged by National Institute of Food Science and Technology UAF under a project “composite flour technology: a step towards managing malnutrition and food security in Pakistan”. The project was funded by PARB and Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security.
The flour was developed by Project Manager Dr Imran Pasha and Dean Food Sciences Dr Masood Sadiq Butt. The flour would be commercialized. The composite flour was developed by analyzing a blend of cereals including wheat, corn barley, oat, millet, sorghum quinoa and in 54 combinations.
Addressing the seminar, Dr Muhammad Ashraf said that wheat flour being a staple food lacks iron, zinc, and amino acid that were essential for a person. He stressed upon the need to create awareness about issue and to use multigrain flour for a healthy life. He said that 58 percent of our populations was under the grip of food insecurity. He was of the view that pesticide and other material was adding food contamination, provoking illness and health hazards. He also suggested to add honey, eggs, yogurts, and milk in our routine food.
Dr Masood Sadiq Butt said project of UAF multigrain was presented to Bill Gates at the Washington States University as a step toward to fighting malnutrition and it has achieved appreciation. He said that despite having plenty of food, we were facing malnutrition crisis.” He urged the people to use balanced diet and adopt physical activities in their daily lives. He said that 50 percent of population was facing malnutrition. He said education about nutritive and balanced food at school level will help overcome the issue. He also said that the food diversity was essential for mitigating the issue of malnutrition.
Dr Imran Pasha said that they had developed combination of chapati, bread and cookies. He said that out of all 54 combinations, 10 blends for each product chapatti, bread and biscuits were selected and analyzed for nutritional and sensitive attributes. Pasha also presented the research activities and research outcomes. Dr Imran said that that there was need to create the awareness about the issues of nutrition.
NISFAT DG Dr Nuzhat Huma said that, “In our homeland, it is surprising that 50% of the women and children were malnourished. She said maternal and child malnutrition remains the major issue for the country,” Talking about the ironic and vitamins deficiencies, she said in Pakistan, iron deficiency (anaemia) and vitamin A deficiency remains widespread. She said that vitamin D deficiency at high with 60 percent; and vitamin A at 45 percent.