Govt launches Project Dhoop to combat Vitamin D deficiencies

Aiming to arrest the growing Vitamin D deficiencies among youth, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched the Project Dhoop.
The campaign called ‘Project Dhoop’ was implemented in collaboration with the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), NCERT and North MCD Schools. Through this unique initiative the FSSAI urged schools to shift their morning assembly to noon time mainly between 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to ensure maximum absorption of Vitamin D to students through natural sunlight.
Speaking at the launch event of the project Dhoop, Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI said, ‘Despite the fact that most children suffer from Vitamin D deficiency in India, most of us are not aware of its serious consequences. FSSAI has always endeavored to educate the community about such pressing issues. Project Dhoop’s Noon Assembly is an innovative and effective concept to ensure that school students get adequate Vitamin D through sunlight, while also opting to choose food products like milk and edible oils that are fortified with Vitamins A and D’.