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Zero tolerance of food wastage the aim, says MoFPI’s Badal at Annapoorna
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Friday, 23 September, 2016, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Lucy Fernandes and Shraddha Joshi, Mumbai
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fiogf49gjkf0d fiogf49gjkf0d Harsimrat Kaur Badal, minister of food processing industries, stated that India should aim at zero tolerance of food wastage. She inaugurated Annapoorna World of Food India, the three-day event organised by Koelnmesse YA Tradefair Pvt Ltd, which she termed the most diverse event and the most comprehensive platform for the food industry.
“The food industry in India is a sunrise sector despite the odds. It is the largest producer of milk, the second largest producer of fruits, vegetables and cereals, and the third largest producer of marine products. However, it has one of the highest percentages of food wastage in the world. The wastage is in the form of farming, harvesting and transportation, whereas overseas it is in the form of plates,” she added.
“The more food we process, the less would be the wastage,” Badal said, adding that India will host the World Food Summit in March 2017. “It will be a national and international platform for the food sector. A parallel event, called Food Street, will also be held,” the minister informed.
The event, which is currently underway at the Bombay Convention and Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai, is co-located with the eleventh essay of Anutec- International FoodTec India, which concludes on September 24, 2016. Ashwani Pande, managing director, Koelnmesse YA Tradefair Pvt Ltd, delivered the welcome address.
“We have over 150 companies representing 18 countries. There is a special session on food retail in India. Over 17,000 trade visitors, not only from India but also from its neighbouring countries, are expected to attend the event this year,” he said.
At the inaugural session of International FoodTec India, Jaroslaw Olowski, vice-president, Agriculture Market Agency, Poland, said, “India has good market opportunities in the food sector. There is a Polish participation and presence. This is our third year at Annapoorna.”
“India has always been open to the foreign countries. European countries, including Poland, have the long-term trust partnership with India, and with Annapoorna, it has grown stronger,” he added.
Wouter Verhey, counsellor, agriculture embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, said, “Food cannot be seen as a product, but it also shows culture. Our country may not have food production, but it is good at innovation and technology. Thus we are here to tie up with India to work together for better opportunities.”
Dietmer Eiden, vice-president, trade fairs, Koelnmesse GmbH, said, “This is our eleventh year at Annapoorna. India is a good place for business opportunities. With the support of the Retail Association of India (RAI), we are glad to be present here again to feel, taste and smell Annapoorna.”
During the panel discussion, titled Food Retail in India - Opportunities, challenges and trends, Riyaaz Amlani, chief executive officer, Impresario Foods, said, “The restaurant sector is not much talked about. To sell a single sandwich one needs 32 licenses. The regulations are from the state and not from the Centre. Restaurants in India are in the top ten. The ministry should look into the restaurants’ growth and opportunities.”
The first day also witnessed the seminar on generation-next packaging solutions, organised by the Indian Pharma Machinery Manufacturing Association (IPMMA). The seminar focused on packaging technology, automation in technology and packaging - a tool for minimisation of errors.
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