Patna, Aug. 30: Scientific approach to food is essential for a healthy lifestyle said J.K. Singh, a former food controller of the government of India, at a meet in the state capital today.

Singh, at present associated with the combined food and drug laboratory of the state department of health, delivered a lecture on “Food safety and stan- dard food” organised by Shrikrishna Science Centre on its premises.

Singh spoke to an audience comprising schoolchildren about food safety and new laws for maintaining the quality of food.

“Our contemporary lifestyle is responsible for the health hazards. People are not serious about their diet. That ultimately leads them to disease and death. People need to be conscious of it. They need to be careful about their personal hygiene. They should also take care of what food they consume outside home,” said Singh.

He also spoke at length on Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006. “The law has taken five years to come into effect. Under this law, the Government of India has set up a separate unit called Food Safety and Standard Authority of India. Its head office is in New Delhi and it works under the Union ministry of health and family welfare. The body has state- and local-level branches. It helps to implement the act.

“A consumer, dissatisfied with the food he or she purchases, can register a complaint. If proven guilty of violating the law, a person can be punished with imprisonment of three months or a life sentence. ”

Kumar Jaishankar, a Class X student of Rajendra Nagar Senior Secondary School who attended the session, said: “The session was very informative.”