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Fortified Foods are Huge Opportunity for India: World Food India
Nov 04, 2017

Food Standards and Safety Authority of India (FSSAI) is developing regulations on good manufacturing practices and good hygienic practices for the food industry, particularly the nutraceuticals and fortified food products sector. This was stated by Dr. Surinder Kumar Sharma, Chairman, Scientific Panel on Nutraceuticals (FSSAI), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, at a session on Nutraceuticals at World Food India

Dr. Sharma added that there was harmonisation of domestic standards with international norms designed by WTO, Codex etc and global best practices. However, efforts are made to also align global laws with local conditions. There are standards review groups within FSSAI on individual food items with representation from both industry and consumers.

Stating that FSSAI provides a business-friendly processes for industry, he said that the registration process is simple and convenient. Besides, there are 132 labs available available for food testing. It is important that both industry and government work in partnership to facilitate the growth of nutraceuticals and fortified food products, he said.

Mr Balasubramanyam Rajagopal, President, DSM, India ,stated that food fortification  fills nutritional gaps. He highlighted that the FSSAI has designed standards for a number of categories of products, including health supplements and nutraceuticals.   

Mr Shiraj Azmat Chaudhary, Chairman, Cargill India Pvt. Ltd stressed on the contradictions between lack of food and lack of proper food which underscored that fortified food can help address deficiencies.

Mr Samir Behl, Regional President-Europe, Africa and India, Amway stated that the market for nutraceuticals is growing at the annual compound growth rate of 20% and has the ability to grow further as the consumer is becoming more health conscious.

De. John Agwunobi, Chief Nutrition & Health Officer, Herbalife International, USA, said that India can lead in the area of personalised nutrition products where the food is customised to suit the individual???s genetic composition. The rich diversity of our food products and traditional knowledge including Ayurveda has generated immense consumer interest which should be tapped. He further said that documentation of traditional knowledge, commitment to transparency in our claims through scientific means, and the building of trust within and between industry was paramount to leverage India???s latent potential.

Ms Maria Rossana(Eya) Pagdanganan Sicat, Marketing Director, -Human Nutrition and Health, Asia, Royal DSM, elucidated that lack of micro-nutrients in our food and the resulting deficiency was impacting our GDP to the extent of US$12 billion. Fortification of food is not expensive and is doable. Hence, industry should take up fortification in a big way.

Mr Sudhakar Rao Desai, Chief Executive Officer, Emami Agrotech Ltd said that the problems related to fortification related to consumer tastes and expectations, lack of consumer awareness, high input costs and industry practices such as adulteration.

New Delhi

4 November 2017


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