CFTRI to open immediate relief food center to cater disaster hit people

MYSORE: Mysore based Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), an integral part of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), India, in light of recent natural calamities has decided to set up a center on its Mysore premise, which will be dedicated to supply immediate food items to disaster struck regions.

The institute has always been instrumental in dispensing immediate relief during disasters anywhere in the country and takes a major step forward in their relief work with the new center.

The major operation of the center would be to send food items to the affected regions on short notice. According to KSMS Raghavarao, director of CFTRI, the average process takes 2-3 days in food preparation presently while the new center would allow instant dispatch.

They will also adopt a new technology developed by the Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology which gives food items a shelf life of around six months. “We are in the process of developing a slew of nutrition-rich foods to tackle deficiencies among children, pregnant woman and lactating mothers. This includes a pliable sweet rice, product, most suitable for infants and children because of its taste, softness and nutrition value. It can be prepared easily and is seen to be an important food item that can be supplied to children in affected areas during disasters,” the director stated.

The director further added that the institute has approached the CSIR to join hands for the purpose.