Srinagar: An assistant professor at Department of Food Technology of Islamic University of Science &Technology (IUST) Awantipora, Dr Basharat Nabi Dar, has been appointed as expert on the joint panel of WHO & FAO on the prevention and control of microbiological hazards in fresh fruits and vegetables.
Dar will work as an expert member in the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and WHO for JEMRA initially for a period of two years.
Local news agency KNO quoted Dar as saying that it is a matter of honour to be associated with a policy making body at global level.
Dar is a graduate in agricultural sciences and has done his MS and PhD in food technology. He started his professional career in 2012 as Assistant Professor at the Department of Food Technology, IUST. He has been a visiting scientist at the Institute of Food Science, Cornell University, USA, under the CV Raman Fellowship of the University Grants Commission, India.
He is the recipient of the UGC research Award 2014-16 in the field of Agricultural Sciences. He is the coordinator of the food testing laboratory sponsored by the Ministry of Food Processing and Industries, India. He is also associated with several research projects as a PI/Co-PI/member.
His research group works on the valorization of food waste, byproducts, underutilized and minor fruits and vegetables. These studies involve the integration of the chemical and life sciences to understand the complexities of the food systems and provide solutions to challenges in their utilization as part of food security and safety. He has editorship of five books and has more than 90 publications in his field.
“My message to the students is work hard and be honest with your assignments, success will follow,” Dar said.
Pertinently, the Joint FAO/WHO expert meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) began in 2000 in response to requests from the Codex Alimentarius Commission and FAO and WHO member countries and the increasing need for risk based scientific advice on microbiological food safety issues.
JEMRA aims to develop and optimise the utility of Microbiological Risk Assessment (MRA) as a tool to inform actions and decisions aimed at improving food safety and to make it equally available to bother developing and developed countries. (KNO)
