Food & Beverage News

The onus is on industry
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is putting in place a system to ensure food safety with concrete and transparent rules and regulations and now the onus is on the industry to act and prove that they comply with norms

CFTRI and DFRL view Food Technology as critical component to facilitate efficiency
Food Technology is the next growth driver of the economy after information technology and biotechnology, said Dr V Prakash, director, Central Food Research Technology Institute(CFTRI).

ICT Mumbai – Hub for food technology studies
The Mumbai University’s Institute of Chemical Technology (MUICT), earlier known as the UDCT, is the most outstanding institute for food & beverage technology studies. It enjoys a unique and prominent place amongst the premier institutes that are engaged in education, training and research in the field of chemical engineering, f&b technology, chemical technology and pharmacy in India.

Dairy plant automation
“The small, local dairy with largely manual operations has become obsolete and has been replaced by large centrally located units with factory style production. Processes in small dairy are supervised by a small number of skilled persons who starts and stops machine, operates valves, cleans the equipment at the end of run all by hand.

Are the Govt laboratories prepared for FSSA?
As the Food Safety and Standards Authority prepares itself to bring the FSS Act into force, which will in all probability be early next year, the entire process of implementation might be at a risk of being washed out due to the neglect of quality assessment laboratories in the country which form the base of any food safety project undertaken.

Age-old concept in sugar technology
India has been known as the original home of sugar. Indians knew the art of making sugar since the fourth century. However, the advent of modern sugar industry in India dates back to mid 1930s when a few vacuum pan units were established in the sub-tropical belts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

M’shtra govt's scheme for tech upgradation has no takers yet
The Maharashtra government had launched two schemes around 6-8 months earlier for giving a technology boost to the food processors in the state. The schemes launched by the Directorate of Industries, GoM, were “Technology Upgradation Scheme” and “R&D scheme for Innovation.”

Empowering consumers through mobile phones
More than 4 billion people – over half the planet – are equipped with mobile phones with millions of new users being added every month. Since the time the World Wide Web took the world by storm, mobile phones have helped shape the next revolution in B2B and B2C communication.

Bakery tech. providers are on the verge of making wonders
The Indian bakery industry is the largest of the food processing industries, estimated to be over Rs 7,000 crore accounting for a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15%. The industry has traditionally been and largely continues to be in the unorganised sector contributing over 75% of the total production.

80% units face shut down under new regulations of FSS Act
Confederation of Indian Food Trade and Industry (CIFTI), representing over 3,500 units in the food sector, is all geared up to equip the industry to implement the proposed rules and regulations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, even as the apprehensions are growing in the industry that the new law would hit badly about 80 % of the units, especially the small-scale ones.

Poultry needs technology changes
Coimbatore-based Suguna Poultry Farm Limited, part of the Suguna Group, has a turnover of Rs 3,200 crore. With a fully integrated operation of broiler and layer farming with its own state-of-the-art hatcheries, feed mills, processing plant and vaccine plant and exports, Suguna is recognised as one among the country’s advanced poultry enterprises.

Let’s feed them oil & not poison: OTAI
Are we feeding innocent Indians with slow poison? The question oil industry, indicted for the flagging health of the nation, has started asking itself. The formidable rise of patients with heart disease, diabetes, allergy, cancer and cholesterol related diseases have sent a siren down the oil industry, particularly the technologists or the craftsmen of edible oil in the country.

Nichrome ventures into Technology Collaboration with US-based Prodo-Pak Corporation
Nichrome India Ltd, pioneer of VFFS machines in India brings home American technology to manufacture and sell High Speed Multi Lane Sachet Machines.

Al-CAN exporters leader in seamless aluminium bottles
AL-CAN Exports Pvt. Ltd has emerged as one of the leading manufacturers and exporters of seamless aluminium bottles and containers for packaging industries. The company was established in the year 1985.

CPDO views shortage of qualified personnel mars growth of poultry industry
Central Poultry Development Organization (CPDO), northern region, has called for the need to create qualified poultry specialists for the growth of the sector.

Bangalore Test House – leading multi-disciplinary testing laboratory in the country
Bangalore Test House was established in 1987 and during the last two decades of its dedicated service to the industry, it has become one of the leading multi-disciplinary testing laboratory in the country with over 110 qualified and skilled personnel with an array of sophisticated instruments.

New System from Pall Corporation reduces costs for Breweries
Pall Corporation, a global leader in filtration, separation and purification, has introduced a new system for continuous beer stabilization that streamlines production and improves operating efficiencies for breweries.

S Zhaveri Pharmakem offers BLISK12™ & TS5000Z
S Zhaveri Pharmakem incorporated in Mumbai in 1951 is a well known Indenting House, marketing and supplying various innovative products from renowned suppliers from all over the world.

IIHR develops mushroom cultivation tech.
Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) has standardised the cultivation technology for mushroom to save time and cost. In this regard the institute has devised mushroom cultivation package whereby it provides seeds and training in technology and skills upgradation for farmers and entrepreneurs.

Technology & hospitality
Sometime back I read a status update on Facebook. Life was much simpler when Apple, Blackberry etc were fruits, Twitter was what birds did and Kayak was what Canada was famous for. It sent my mind racing back to my early days in the hotels where a colleague in our office was laughing hysterically.

Targeted fishing and specialised techniques pressing needs of the fishing industry
Marine food technology has long remained the neglected kid of the technology revolution taking place in the food sector. But now, with the streamlining of technology and also the sector, the fishing industry is steadily embracing significant developments.

UAS develops mechanical cardamom dryer
Department of Post Harvest Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Bangalore, has designed and developed a mechanical cardamom dryer. This model consists of drying a chamber, a blower with motor and an electric heating bank.

Projects Investment in Food Sector
Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Co-operative Bio-Sugar & Allied Products plans to set up a starch unit with a capacity of 100 tpd at Shivajinagar, Dongarkada, Kalamnuri. Work to commence by December 2011.

Chef skillfully displays the use of Roquette's maltitol for sugar replacement in making cakes
As the Bakery Business 2010 kicked off in full swing and vigour at the World Trade Centre on December 8, Chef Arolkar was apparently the most busy guy being chased by over a thousand men and women. And he enjoyed it all.

Technological development in food processing
In this new era of easy, quick, palatable and affordable processed food, it has been realised that the next generation food will have longer shelf life, attractive and matching to all age group, taste buds and easy to carry without destroying the real nutrients of the product.

FP sector will be made more transparent & attractive to investors
The union minister of food processing industries, Subodh Kant Sahai, has said that the Vision 2015 document on food processing industries had suggested a number of measures aimed at enhancing and stabilising the income level of the farmers.

Food technology in hotels and trends in kitchen equipment
The term food technology is so vast and expansive in its scope that I can devote reams and reams of paper illustrating this paradigm.

Bosch Packaging technology launches Transwrap 1650 machine
Making another addition to its comprehensive portfolio, Bosch Packaging Technology has launched the Transwrap 1650 packaging machine in India, at the Pack Plus 2010 in New Delhi. The product with its wide range of packaging solutions is suited for a variety of packaging needs, styles and budgets.

Chemical–free brewery solutions from Radical Waters
Three years after Radical Waters pioneered the supply of Electrochemically Activated Water (better known as ECA Technology) as ground breaking green technology for CIP applications in the Carbonated Softdrink Industry, the company has now satisfied the gruelling requirements of SABMiller and proven cost savings per CIP of 93%.

Beverages processing tech. challenges grow
While there may be a small backlash against bottled water, driven in part by concern over disposal of the plastic bottles, there also appears to be a proliferation of new flavours and types of beverages. Many of these require unconventional processing and packaging.

Irradiation could be a solution for food wastage – BARC
The recent damning reports on food wastage in the media were so startling that even the Supreme Court could not help but interfere with the administrative procedures of the country.

VIV Asia 2011 Bangkok focuses on technology
Technology will be a highlight at VIV Asia 2011 which will take place during 9-11 March 2011 at BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand. Technology in focus is ranging from crop and feed technology to animal production and processing technology, covering the entire food chain under the show’s ‘from feed to meat’ signature.

Mofpi’s ongoing food safety & quality schemes
The ministry for food processing industries (Mofpi) has issued details of various food safety and quality assurance schemes for the industry.

Bakery Business show getting bigger
The 5th edition of the Bakery Business Show, organised by Hospitality First, was formally inaugurated on December 8, at World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade in Mumbai.

Alimentaria & Horexpo (food, hotel, machinery expo) in Lisbon in March 2011
Alimentaria & Horexpo Lisboa represents the birth of the major business platform in Portugal for the sectors of food, distribution, hotel and catering business and food technology.

MOFPI approves upgradation scheme for quality of street food
A central scheme for upgradation of quality of street food in 11 cities has been approved by the ministry of food processing industries (MOFPI).

IRCTC to set up food factory
Aiming to revive its fortune in the fast growing food and beverages industry, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) a railway public sector undertaking has planned to come out with a 'food factory' here to serve customers with packed delicacies catering to their choice.

Tech. Information Centre of CIAE inaugurated
The Technology Information Centre constructed at the new gate at Karond crossing in Bhopal was inaugurated by Dr S Ayyappan, secretary, DARE ( Department of Agricultural Research and Education) and DG, ICAR ( Indan Council of Agricultural Research), on December 3 by Dr M M Pandey, DDG (Engg),

Fairfood Int. launches video campaign for food sustainability
Netherlands-based Fairfood International, a non-profit organisation aims to encourage sustainability in the food industry, and contribute to the fight against poverty and hunger around the world, has launched a viral video campaign titled "Face-Your-Food" which looks at sustainability in food.

Mother Dairy to open 100 more fruits and vegetables outlets in NCR
The National Dairy Development Board's (NDDB) subsidiary, Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetables, plans to open 100 additional stores in the National Capital Region (NCR) in the next one year.

New fishing harbour in Bengal
A fishing harbour with a capacity to handle 300 mechanised and 25 deep-sea vessels was inaugurated at Petuaghat in West Bengal’s East Midnapore district. The state’s largest harbour, costing Rs 60 crore, was thrown open by Governor M K Narayanan. He hoped that it would provide a major boost to marine fishing.

PRS Oberoi is 2010 Corporate Hotelier of the World
PRS Oberoi, chairman, Oberoi Hotels & Resort Group, has been honoured with the “2010 Corporate Hotelier of the World” award by the Hotels magazine in New York recently. Hotelier of the World, the award in its 29th year, selects the annual award winner on the basis of votes cast by readers of the magazine in more than 150 countries.

Dr Amrita Patel first Indian to join IDF Board
Dr Amrita Patel, chairman, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), has become the first Indian to be elected to the Board of the International Dairy Federation (IDF). Dr Patel is also the first woman to be elected to the IDF Board.

Suguna Poultry chief is TiE Chennai Entrepreneur of the Year
TiE Chennai, part of The Indus Entrepreneurs, awarded the "Entrepreneur of the Year" honour to B Soundararajan, Managing Director, Suguna Poultry Farm Limited.

Strengthening Indo-Canada cooperation in FP
The union minister of food processing industries Subodh Kant Sahai said that during the recent visit of Canadian agriculture minister there was a discussion for enhancing cooperation between Canada and India in the field of food processing.

Dr Venugopal’s take on marine polysaccharides and its food applications
Food scientist Dr Venugopal has once again taken a dive into the food applications of the marine world.

Tainted products marketed as dietary supplements are risky
In a letter sent to dietary supplement manufacturers, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expressed concern about undeclared or deceptively labelled ingredients in products marketed as dietary supplements.

Food inflation drops, but prices will stay high till March
Food inflation has come down to less than 10% from more than 20% a year ago, but the prices of essential commodities remain more or less same at last year's level. Both the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister had assured the country that the escalating prices of vegetables and lentils would come by the end of the year.