Sana'a - Saba:
A meeting chaired by the Minister of Economy, Industry, and Investment, Engineer Ma'in Al-Muhagri, discussed on Tuesday the action plan for the transformation program in the consumer behavior of citizens from white flour to the use of wheat flour and various local grains.
The meeting reviewed the results of experiments using whole wheat flour in products like "roti, bread, rashoush, distinguished bread, and other baked goods," which were conducted last month through the Bakers Union, as well as various baked products using a mixture of wheat flour with local grains such as corn and millet through private sector mechanized bakeries.
The Minister of Economy, Industry, and Investment emphasized the importance of the transformation project in consumer behavior from white flour to local grains from health, economic, and social perspectives.
He clarified that the shift in consumption culture and patterns is vital and contributes to maintaining consumer health, especially after confirming the health risks of white flour in increasing heart disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, and obesity.
At the same time, it encourages local farmers to cultivate and produce various types of grains, as well as providing economic benefits by reducing the import bill.
The minister pointed out the role of the media in raising awareness about the importance of using grains in baked goods and the dangers of excessive use of white flour.
He directed the Internal Trade and Consumer Protection Sector to finalize the results of the experiments to determine the new mixing ratios and other technical controls suitable for producing high-quality baked goods in ovens and bakeries.
The meeting approved the upcoming action program and involving the Ministries of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water Resources, Health, Environment, Media, the Yemeni Standardization and Quality Control Authority, industrial and commercial chambers, the Consumer Protection Association, the Bakers Union, and wheat milling companies to support the program in educating consumers about the health importance of using whole grains in baked goods.
The meeting stressed the importance of quickly completing the plan and action program to launch the program in the coming weeks, in preparation for holding a workshop that includes all relevant parties and preparing the media plan accompanying the workshop."
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