Page 17 - FPM June 2025

17 NEWS June 2025
Food Processing News Today
MoFPI secretary advocates tech driven nutrition

tracking, urges NIFTEM-K to lead innovation

inistry of Food chapters on food processing in Dr. Satyen Panda, Executive and called for nuanced, with industry associations like
P r o c e s s i n g NCERT textbooks. The Director (R&D) and Advisor evidence-based discussions. FICCI, CII, PBFIA, India Honey
MI n d u s t r i e s initiative aims to educate (QA, FSSAI), addressed the Dr. Heena Yadav, Asst. Prof., Alliance, and IFBA shared their
(MoFPI), in collaboration with children about healthy eating risks associated with HFSS NIFTEM-K presented a views and concerns regarding
the National Institute of Food habits from a young age. (High in Fat, Salt, and Sugar) comprehensive FAQ document HFSS foods and UPF. There was
Technology Entrepreneurship Referencing traditional Indian and ultra-processed foods on HFSS and UPF, elaborating broad consensus on the need
and Management (NIFTEM- wisdom, Dr. Oberoi remarked: (UPFs). He noted that on the NOVA classification for robust clinical trials and
Kundli), organized a one-day "Food be the medicine," adulteration is widespread in system and outlined the next strong scientific evidence
workshop titled SWASTH echoing time-tested remedies many processed items and steps, including wider b e fo r e fo r m u l a t i n g o r
(Stakeholders Workshop on p a s s e d d o w n b y emphasized the need for a consultations and submission implementing HFSS and UPF-
Actionable Strategies for related policies that could
Tackling HFSS and UPF). The significantly impact both public
w o r k s h o p fo c u s e d o n health and the food industry.
“Shedding Light on Science, During the discussion, industry
Consumption, and Choices in r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s u r g e d
Modern Food.” policymakers to consider a
Delivering the keynote serve size-based regulatory
address, Dr. Subrata Gupta, model and called for a
Secretary, MoFPI, emphasized comprehensive national
that in today's fast-paced nutrition survey to better
world, health and diet have understand actual dietary
become more important than habits and the health needs of
ever. He noted a growing India's diverse population.
public consciousness around Associations also emphasized
wellness, as evident from the the importance of moving
increasing use of smart- beyond emotional rhetoric to
watches to track daily physical focus on the scientific and
activity. However, he pointed economic contributions of the
out a critical oversight: “While Indian food processing sector.
we keep track of how many “Food processing is often
steps we walk each day, we grandmothers. He added that balanced and scientific of the report to the MoFPI. unfairly criticized in public
often fail to monitor how NIFTEM-K, in collaboration approach to combat this Adding to the academic debates, while its positive
much energy or how many with FSSAI is willing to work growing concern effectively. perspectives, Dr. Seema Puri, co nt r i b u t i o n s — s u c h a s
calories we consume every actively to standardize and In the first technical session, University of Delhi urged for e n s u r i n g f o o d s a f e t y,
day.” notify methodologies for Dr. Priyanka Bansal, Sceintist- greater reliance on India's own maintaining hygiene standards,
To address this gap, Dr. Gupta determining added sugar in E, ICMR highlighted about the scientific institutions, such as reducing food wastage, and
encouraged NIFTEM-K to lead food products—bridging the different guidelines issued by ICMR, rather than depending creating employment—are
the development of a smart gap between traditional ICMR from time to time and exclusively on foreign frequently overlooked,” noted
watch-like device capable of knowledge and modern also about different schemes literature. She underscored the the participant. It was strongly
measuring an individual's science. of ICMR for anaemia, importance of meta-analytical advocated that future policies
daily calorie or energy intake. Dr. Ravinarayan Acharya, DG, addressing nutrient deficiency research on HFSS, along with be grounded in rational,
Referring to global health Central Council for Research in etc. Mr. Ashim Sanyal, CEO of p o r t i o n c o n t r o l a n d evidence-based frameworks
trends, he cited WHO and MCI Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Consumer VOICE, emphasized moderation, as essential that reflect the complex
data, which indicate that two- spoke on the traditional the urgent need to define HFSS strategies in the prevention of realities of modern food
thirds of global deaths are principles of Ayurveda during in the Indian context and Non-Communicable Diseases systems.
caused by non-communicable the workshop. Highlighting the advocated for the accelerated (NCDs). Dr. Swati Bhardwaj Participants also highlighted a
diseases (NCDs). ancient concept of "Hitam- adoption of scientifically f r o m a P u b l i c H e a l t h key concern that many
He also highlighted pressing Ahitam, Sukham-Dukham", he validated Nutrient Profiling Organization “Resolve to Save genuinely healthy foods, such
concerns such as food noted that in Ayurveda, food Models (NPMs) tailored to Lives” further stressed the as coconut milk, oat milk, and
adulteration in processed itself is considered medicine. national dietary and public need to establish standardized tofu, may fall under the UPF
products and large-scale food "The primary objective of health needs and earliest portion sizes across food categor y despite their
wastage, and called for Ayurveda is to maintain good implementation of FoPNL. categories to better guide nutritional value, underscoring
collective innovation and health, while treating illness The second session, titled consumers and policymakers the need for greater nuance
action to tackle these issues. comes second," he explained. “Science Beyond HFSS and alike. and clarity in classification
Dr. Gupta also asked NIFTEM-K Dr. Acharya also stated that the UPF: Presentation of FAQs”, The third session focused on systems. With the participation
to organise these kind of Ministry of Ayush is working was led by experts from t h e f o o d i n d u s t r y ' s of over 80 in-person attendees
events on regular basis. closely with FSSAI, various academia and research. perspective, bringing together from industry, academia,
Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi, central ministries, and state Dr. Komal Chauhan, Dean experts from regulatory, legal, regulatory bodies, business
Director, NIFTEM-K in his governments to ensure the (Research), NIFTEM-K, and allied sectors. Leading associations, consumer forums,
welcome note, announced s a f e t y , q u a l i t y , a n d highlighted that the blanket companies such as ITC Ltd., and start-ups, the event also
that the institute will soon h e a l t hf u l n e s s o f fo o d assumption that all processed Marico, Nestlé India Ltd., and saw more than 100 virtual
propose the inclusion of products. foods are harmful is incorrect Jadli Foods India P Ltd, along participants joining online.
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