The 7th International Conference on Food and Nutrition, organized by the Universal Society of Food and Nutrition (USFN) in collaboration with UCSI University, Malaysia, was held in hybrid mode on June 29-30, 2024. The conference, themed “Culinary Diversity and Health: A Global Perspective,” attracted a diverse group of professionals, including nutritionists, dieticians, professors, scientists, research scholars, health experts, industrialists, and students, who gathered to discuss the latest advancements and research in food science and nutrition. Over 100 presenters from around the world showcased their work during the two-day event.
Faculty members and students from the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences (DFNS) at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) participated in the conference in the following capacities:
Keynote Address
- Prof. B. Andallu, Honorary faculty and former Head of the Department, delivered the keynote address on “Herbs and Spices in the Prevention and Treatment of Stress-Induced Diseases.” Her presentation emphasized the role of phytochemicals in herbs and spices in enhancing health and slowing degenerative processes associated with aging. Prof. Andallu highlighted the potential of common kitchen herbs and spices in preventing serious chronic diseases and managing stress-related health issues. Her talk was well-received, sparking an engaging discussion session.
Organizing Committee Member and Session Chair
- Dr. Jhinuk Gupta, Assistant Professor, served as an organizing committee member and session chair, and evaluator for one of the virtual presentation sessions on June 30, 2024. Dr. Gupta, an active researcher in food safety and quality monitoring, facilitated discussions on advanced research in food safety and its critical role in nutrition.
Research Presentations
- Ms. Amrita Shaw, a Doctoral Research Scholar, presented her research on “Detection of Re-used Cooking Oil through Micro-Raman Spectroscopy.” This research, guided by Dr. Jhinuk Gupta and Dr. Sai Muthukumar V (Associate Professor, Dept. of Physics), addressed a crucial issue in the food industry and was commended by the session chairs for its significance. Dr. Muthukumar, a meticulous researcher in the field of Applied Spectroscopy, played a pivotal role in the presented work.
- Ms. Shreya P Sarathy, who completed her M.Sc. dissertation under Dr. Jhinuk Gupta during the academic year 2023-2024, presented her project on “Mislabeling in the Indian Health Food Market: Market Survey and Analytical Testing,” co-authored by Ms. Tharani Lakshmi Tharuni and Ms. Amrita Shaw. Her presentation illuminated the widespread issue of mislabeling in the health food sector and the importance of detecting such practices. The panelists praised her work and the relevance of the research.
The active participation and contributions from the DFNS team at SSSIHL were highly appreciated and added significant value to the conference.
