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“We have plans to extend training to food inspectors”
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Monday, 29 May, 2023, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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 Merck Life Science Private Ltd., a fully integrated group, is focused on delivering high-quality and efficient solutions to solve the toughest problems in science. The company aims at fulfilling the need gap between academia and the healthcare & life sciences industry. The company looks towards playing an important role in the food segment. It believes in building and nurturing talent and spreading knowledge amongst the growing pool of its workforce. The company is educating microbiologists on the latest technologies and advancements with regard to food hygiene monitoring.
Dr Veena P Panicker, head, bio monitoring, Merck Life Science India, shares her views on food and beverage industry, microbiological food testing, food safety, regulatory compliance and more, in an email interview with Kimberley Almeida. Excerpts:
How has the competitive landscape of the F&B industry changed during the past few years?
I believe there are several factors that drive us to eat healthy with the pandemic being the most apparent one. Many consumers are also beginning to worry about their gut health as is evident with ITC’s survey that nearly 56% of Indian families deal with digestive issues.
The competitive landscape of the F&B industry has undergone significant changes over the past few years, one of which is the rising popularity of plant-based foods. Nowadays, people are more conscious about protecting the environment, and this influences their preference towards consuming plant-based food products that are free from guilt. Addressing this demand, the alternative protein industry is looking to constantly innovate food production that matches the taste, texture, and flavour of meat.
Another growing trend among consumers is the demand for fresh, locally grown foods without artificial ingredients or preservatives. This has led to the emergence of many health-oriented brands that deal in organic milk, fruits, and vegetables, as businesses strive to adapt to changing consumer needs and preferences. This trend also creates an opportunity for players involved in the restaurant industry to prioritise healthy menus.
In the race to embrace these changing trends, F&B companies are bound to face heavy competition in terms of price and quality of products. Nonetheless, it is important not to overlook the safety of the food being consumed, which will always be a top concern for consumers.
Tell us about the food & beverage testing vertical in the company.
The average Indian consumer is conscious about the food they intake, which is considered as a critical aspect of their health. Hence, organisations need to take adequate food safety measures, set priorities, providing accessible and frequent training to employees. This applies to all participants in the food supply chain, including suppliers, business owners, manufacturers, and customers. Maintaining quality is essential to protect customers from foodborne illnesses that can have serious impacts on human health and business performance.
We have a significant role in the food industry as a leading provider of reliable food safety solutions. We offer a comprehensive platform for testing food pathogens, which has contributed to improving global food safety and quality through efficient laboratory testing and regulatory expertise.
Merck India, as a world leader, takes its responsibility seriously and ensures that products are efficiently processed to detect contaminants and chemical residues to provide safe and hygienic products to consumers. We provide state-of-the-art testing solutions that deliver accurate results and compliance with changing regulations. Additionally, our products can determine the nutritional value of food and beverages and identify inconsistencies in quality.
Elaborate on food safety solutions for reliable food testing.
Effective food testing solutions are essential to ensure that the food we eat is secure and free of harmful contaminants.
Testing for pathogens is one of the most important steps in this process, and there are several testing methods available, including PCR, ELISA, and culture-based methods. To conduct this, it is critical to ensure accurate standardising of testing methods is taking place, to maintain consistency in the results obtained. Testing can range from microbiological testing to chemical testing and allergen testing depending on the end goal. Furthermore, implementing quality assurance programmes can help identify potential sources of error and ensure that testing is performed correctly. Quality assurance programmes should include regular training for laboratory personnel, ongoing monitoring of test results, and internal audits to identify areas for improvement.
When it comes to safety solutions, it is important to ensure a balanced environment monitoring to identify and prevent potential sources of contamination. This can be achieved through various methods such as air sampling, water testing, and swabbing. The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) approach is a preventive measure for food safety that involves identifying risks and implementing controls to prevent them.
Tell us about the importance of Microbiological Testing in foods and beverages.
Identification of pathogen and food spoilage microorganisms is a vital part of food microbiology to ensure consumer safety, prevent brand desecration, and minimise costly mitigation following failed inspections or food poisoning outbreaks. For food processing plants, food production lines, produce distributors, restaurants, and any other food-oriented industry, it is important to do regular food microbiology testing. These tests can save the food industry time, money, and reputation, and will help keep the community healthy and happy.
Microbial tests play a crucial role in identifying food and foodborne diseases. These tests include quantitative and qualitative assessments necessary for validating primary control measures like the HACCP system. These routine tests are applied throughout the production process and cover deep analysis of products to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Stating down importance of mcrobiological testing –
- Microbiological testing protects consumers from foodborne illness by identifying harmful microorganisms in food and beverages
- Government agencies set regulatory standards that food and beverage manufacturers must adhere to, including limitations on the number of microorganisms allowed in their products. To ensure compliance with these regulations, manufacturers utilise microbiological testing
- High levels of microorganisms can cause food spoilage and can affect the taste, texture, and appearance of the product. Microbiological testing helps to ensure that food and beverages meet the quality standards set by the manufacturer
- The utilisation of microbiological testing can furnish valuable insights to enhance food safety programmes. The identification of hazardous microorganisms and the implementation of measures to mitigate their presence can help manufacturers to enhance the safety of their products and lower the possibility of foodborne illness
What is the importance of food regulatory compliance?
Stringent regulations govern production environments in the food industry to guarantee consumer safety. To ensure quality and efficiency, local requirements and international standards regulate the quality control of food products and their ingredients. By complying with food regulations, manufacturers can satisfy consumer demands, expand their customer base, and provide secure food to both local and global markets. It plays a critical role in managing risk, protecting customers, following complex legislation, and ensuring quality and safety across various supply chains.
As a leading science and technology company, Merck addresses the need for strict safety standards in industries with its diverse portfolio of food safety solutions. Here are some reasons why stringent regulations are needed in the F&B industry-
- Food regulatory compliance is essential to ensure that food is safe and free from harmful contaminants that can cause illness or disease
- Regulations related to food quality help to ensure that products are of a certain standard, meeting the expectations of the clients in terms of taste, texture, and appearance
- Failure to comply with regulations can result in legal action being taken against a company, leading to significant costs and damage to the company's reputation
Give details about any food safety initiative that you might have undertaken or planned for?
We offer a complete food pathogen testing platform to the food and beverage safety testing market through lab testing efficiency and regulatory expertise.
We recently announced partnering with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to provide education on the latest technologies and advancements in food hygiene monitoring to microbiologists. Our Memorandum of Understanding outlines that Merck Life Science will assist in promoting enrolment in training programmes and providing practical experience with the latest technology breakthroughs for microbial load isolation, growth, and identification in industrial microbiology fields.
It will also include hands-on training at our CMAT training facility in Ghaziabad, Delhi. The lab, which spans 2,000 sq. ft, is equipped with advanced technology such as GDS-IMS, Transia Platforms, and MVP-ICON, which will address the challenges faced by food safety scientists in pathogen testing and HACCP audit management.
This collaboration will be instrumental in advancing capabilities for any futuristic technological development and innovation by microbiologists, and would help in widening their knowledge in terms of food & hygiene. We always believe in building and nurturing talent and spreading knowledge amongst the growing pool of workforce. And with this partnership, it truly proves how committed the company is towards fulfilling the objective.
What are the company’s long-term goals for sustainability when it comes to F&B sector?
Sustainability is a very important aspect of our organisation. In the Life Science space several sustainability projects have been adopted in areas like - product lifecycle management, new technology adoption and digitalisation. For example, choosing sustainable materials in our products by incorporating factors like recyclability, biodegradability, sourcing, transportation and packaging impacts our sustainability goals positively. We aspire to partner with our customers to achieve their sustainability goals. Our leadership, both global and India, is committed to this initiative.
Any plans for expansion and collaboration with local and foreign markets?
Yes, we have plans on expanding our F&B business and have a global presence. We are in this market for a long time. Currently we are focused on skill development of QC personnel in the F&B segment through introduction of advanced and rapid technology in area of microbial testing and identification in collaboration with FSSAI at the CMAT laboratory in Delhi. We have plans to extend the training to food inspectors and other relevant personnel in this segment.
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