NuFFooDS Spectrum October 2019

An Integrated movement dedicated to
development of Agriculture

22 - 25 November 2019

Reshimbagh Ground, Nagpur

Central India's ApMprBoSyvMedE
Largest Agri Summit

Chief Patron Highlights of
Agrovision

Shri Nitin Gadkari Grand National Agri Expo

Hon'ble Union Minister for Road Transport, Participation of more than 400 Organisations
Highways & Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises,
Participation of Producers, Distributors, Research Organisations,
GOI Agriculture Marketing Boards, Banks, Insurance Companies, Machines &
Tools, Fertilizers, Seeds, Various Departments of State & Central Govt.
Animal Special
Husbandry Pavilion Opportunity to meet lakhs of Farmers from various parts of India
Pavilion
for Students, Consultants, Innovators, Research Scholars in agriculture.
MSMEs
Free Workshops for Farmers

28 Workshops shall be conducted on different topics by experts
Enhancing yield of major crops by using latest technology & modern
farming practices Enhancing supplementary Income of farmers
through live stock management: Fisheries, Poultry, Beekeeping,
sericulture, Vermiculture etc. Special Workshop on : Digital
Innovation & IT in Agriculture, Climate change in Agriculture.
Success stories by farmers.

Conferences on following subjects

Opportunities for Medium, Small, & Micro Entrepreneurs in Agriculture
and Food Processing
Development of Dairy & Milk Processing

Agrovision Secretariat : Nagpur : 97647 96709 Ph: 0712-2544 929 I Pune : 99232 02884 Ph: 020-2729 1769 I Delhi : 78383 23127 Ph : 011-4354 2737
Email : [email protected] / [email protected] Follow /@agrovisionindia
www.agrovisionindia.in

Organised By Supported By

Ministry of Agriculture & Ministry of Micro, Small &
Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India Medium Enterprises, Govt. of India



4 EDITORIAL NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Dump the load,
Not food!

Milind Kokje
Chief Editor

One third of food produced each year, It avoids at least one cause of food wastage. Similarly,
estimated to be 1.3 billion tons goes wasted. technologies can be adopted at harvesting and
Singapore Environment Council (SEC) in its storage. Railways has introduced public fridge at
recent study found out that each household throws railways stations for the people to put their extra food
away food worth nearly S$258 each year. Problem in it in order to avoid its wastage.
in India is much bigger. The amount of food
wasted in India equals the total food consumed The ministry for food processing industry is
in UK. United Nations Development Programme developing a food map to figure out exactly in which
(UNDP) said 40 per cent of India’s food production, part of the country what is being grown and which
estimated to be 21 million tons is wasted each year. food and vegetable is surplus in which part of the
In monetary terms it is worth Rs one lakh crore. country and what is the shortage of infrastructure
there to process it. The work seems to be still on and
In India, food wastage is not restricted at only one needs to be completed fast. This step is important
stage, but happens at all stages of food cycles from because currently cold storage infrastructure is not
harvesting to consumption. The 21 million tons of properly distributed resulting in farmers in rural
food wastage also includes large scale food wastage areas have limited access to them. Further, over Rs
that takes place before reaching to consumer, due 3000 crore investment has been planned by the
to lack of food processing facilities in adequate government in integrated cold chain projects.
number. The rest is of course ‘on plate’ wastage, its
abundant proof is seen at weddings, social, religious How such facilities can transform the scene in the
& family functions, canteens and households. Such a direction of reducing food wastage can be seen from
level of wastage is very severe and it appears much the example of egg farmers of Singapore. They can
more when 191 million people are undernourished, be a role model as they generate the least waste due
according to the 2017 Food and Agriculture to the well-developed and efficient supply chain and
Organization (FAO) report. They include large number use of modern technology. One important outcome
of children since every third malnourished child in of the study, which could be very relevant to India, is
the world is from India. This highlights the need for that 80 per cent respondents do not fully understand
bringing down the food wastage drastically. The task the difference between different labels as use by, best
will have to be tackled at two levels – processing and before, expiry date etc. leading to people throwing
consumption. food even when it is consumable for a few weeks after
passing their use by or best before dates. If that is the
It is also necessary to understand that the wastage situation in Singapore the percentage may be even
needs to be reduced not only because of the high more in India adding to unnecessary food wastage.
number of undernourished people but also because
it spoils other resources. For instance, water used for Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
growing food grains also goes waste with the food (FSSAI) has included reduction in food wastage as one
going waste. An estimated 25 per cent of fresh water of its agenda. May be taking a clue for the Singapore
used in food production goes waste. Similar is the report it can launch a campaign to educate the
status of other resources like land, energy, labour and consumers on understanding the correct meaning of
capital. the labels. These efforts are comparatively easy. The
harder one is to manage the on plate wastage of food
Innovative technologies and ideas are being done on a large scale.
developed to handle every stage of food cycle, like
special refrigerated containers take care of perishable
goods that remain fresh for a month in transportation.

New Voice of the Nutraceuticals &
New - Gen Food Indystry in Asia

Volume 7  |  Issue 02  |  October 2019 Production & Design Nutraceuticals Nutritionals
www.nuffoodsspectrum.in MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications Functional Foods Wellness
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6 INSIDE NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

21

Cover Story

CURBING
OBESITY

With a mission to lead and drive global efforts to reduce, prevent and treat obesity, the World Obesity
Federation (WOF) launched World Obesity Day in 2015 that is now observed globally on October 11. With
more than 135 million individuals affected by obesity in India, abdominal obesity is one of the major risk
factors for cardiovascular disease (CVDs). The WOF estimates about three out of ten Indians are expected
to be obese by 2025. India needs to gather some learning lessons from other countries where the industry
is collaborating with regulators to achieve regulatory environments that are conducive for product
reformulation, labelling and marketing regulation, ensuring a range of healthy options for consumers.

Analysis 18 Analysis 27

PLASTIC BANA- Boon or Bane? Poshan Maah: Addressing
malnutrition/undernutrition

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in INSIDE 7

Speaking With 31 REGULARS
“Easy accessibility and
affordability of fortified Editorial 4
products should be the
priority” Video Snippets 8

Inge Kauer Policy and Regulatory News 10

Executive Director, Access to Finance News 11
Nutrition Foundation, the Netherlands
Company News 12
Regulatory
Direct vs Online Selling 33 Start-Up News 14
16
Speaking With World News
“We need more
manufacturing startups People News 42
as manufacturing is the
heart of the economy” Supplier News 44
46
Mathew Chacko 36

Managing Director, Science News
Athletebit Healthcare, Mysuru
Academic News 48

Event Diary 49

10 13

38 44 46
“Alkaline water is 49
safe as regular water”

Aakash Vaghela

Co-founder and Managing Director,
AV Organics, Vadodara

S2B 40
Leveraging
Customer Insights

Dr R.B.Smarta,
Interlink (CMD) and
HADSA (Hon. Secretary)

8 VIDEO SNIPPETS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Inge Kauer, Acknowledgments
Executive Director, Thank you so much for the coverage on Alniche
Access to Nutrition Life Sciences. Do keep us posted for any more
Foundation highlights opportunities.
the objectives of the
Access to Nutrition - Yasin Hamidani, Mumbai
Index project
Thank you for the news feature on AV Organics.
Scan the QR Code » - Arushi Kaushik, New Delhi

Ramanath Thank you for covering the updates on Coca-Cola
Padmanabhan, India.
Co-Founder &
Director, AyuRythm - Parneet Hira, New Delhi
shares views on the
connection between Thank you for considering Mechanical
Ayurveda, eating Engineering Industry Association’s (Verband
habits and health Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau – VDMA),
headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany - inputs for the
Scan the QR Code » article titled ‘Opportunity awaits Food Processing
Equipment players’.
Umer Shabir,
Area Sales Executive - Rajesh Nath, Kolkata
(Food Service
Division), Adani Thanks for your feedback. We have taken note of
Wilmar talks about your suggestions and will surely try to incorporate
the technological the content accordingly in coming issues. Please
challenges facing the keep sending us your feedback and updating us on
food industry in India your views about the issue and keep giving your
opinions on the content.
Scan the QR Code »
– Editor

Please send your feedback to
[email protected]

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10 REGULATORY NEWS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

FSSAI holds FSSAI opens National Food
workshops for Laboratory at Ghaziabad
Pharmacists
& Retailers Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare
inaugurated Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)’s
With the objective to National Food Laboratory (NFL), Delhi NCR at Ghaziabad on August 23,
create sensitization among 2019. Along with this, he also laid the foundation stone of the FSSAI
stakeholders and further Tower. Incidentally, August 23, also marks the 13th anniversary of the
strengthen its initiatives, Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. NFL, Delhi NCR is one of the two
ReCHaN (Resource Centre premier referral laboratories
on Health Supplement and under the direct administrative
Nutraceuticals) along with control of FSSAI. The laboratory
Food Safety and Standards in Kolkata is also being upgraded.
Authority of India (FSSAI) This national lab is a result of a
conducted the first series of Public-Private-Partnership (PPP)
Capacity Building Workshop with Arbro Pharmaceutical,
for Pharmacists and Retailers the first-of-its-kind in the food
on Awareness for Health laboratory sector. It houses state-
Supplements & Nutraceuticals. of-the-art collaborative training
In the given scenario, Health centres, namely, the Food Safety
Supplements and Nutraceuticals Solution Centre (FSSC) and
has emerged as a food category the Centre for Microbiological Analysis Training (C-MAT). NFL-Delhi,
which can play a critical role NCR symbolizes the synchronization of policy driven partnerships and
in encouraging a healthy life. collaboration with a holistic approach and a futuristic vision. The lab has
This category of food is well a comprehensive array of equipment with the latest technologies and
regulated under the FSSAI and facilities to conduct analysis as per global accreditation standards for
reflects an understanding on testing and calibration. FSSAI will also be establishing NFLs at Mumbai
the applicable statutory and and Chennai in the near future along the same lines.
regulatory requirements of this
sector. As per the World Health FSSAI takes step forward
Organisation (WHO) report on to ensure food safety
nutrition, more than 40 per cent
of the nutrition related diseases Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) steered a second
takes place before the age of round of meeting with 20 Surplus Food Distribution Agencies from
70. In order to maintain overall various parts of the country to discuss the steps taken by government
health and wellness, balanced to ensure safe distribution of surplus food. The first meeting of a similar
diet and diet diversity plays an kind was organized on July 30 which was attended by 13 Surplus Food
important role. Distribution Agencies. FSSAI has also started an initiative called ‘Save
Food Share Food Share Joy’ to create a food recovery ecosystem. This
initiative aims to bridge the gap between food companies, surplus
food distribution agencies and beneficiaries. One of the key features
is creation of Indian Food Sharing Alliance (IFSA) - A network of food
collection/recovery agencies in India, to create a pan India network of
these agencies. This network will serve as a common platform for this
cause wherein all of them will be equally benefitted with regulatory
support, food safety training and capacity building efforts.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in FINANCE NEWS 11

Organic food Modern Foods buys major
stake in Supreme Baker
brand Suzette
Private equity firm Everstone Capital- Batra and Shitiz Batra. The value of
Gourmet raises backed Modern Foods is back in the the transaction could, however, not
Delhi-National Capital Region after be ascertained. The transaction was
Rs 10 Cr 14 years with the acquisition of a primarily driven by Modern Foods’
majority stake in city-based Supreme strategy to re-enter the lucrative NCR
Mumbai-based organic food Baker India. Modern Foods purchased market. For the company, it made
brand Suzette Gourmet, which a 75 per cent stake in Supreme Baker, sense to enter the market through
runs organic quick-service which sells Citi Fresh andTopsim Food an acquisition since Modern does
restaurant (QSR) chains under brands. The company is promoted not have manufacturing units in the
the brands Kitchen Garden by Mahesh Kumar, Ramesh Kumar region.
and Suzette, has raised Rs 10
crore in a new funding round. Singapore-based firm
Yuj Ventures, an early-stage acquires India biz of TGIF
investment firm backed by
the family office of Sid Yog,
led the investment. Yog is
the founding partner of real
estate-focused investment firm
Xander Group. Existing investor
DSG Consumer Partners, a
consumer-focused venture
capital firm, also participated
in this funding round. Suzette
Gourmet will use the fresh
capital to expand its presence
in Mumbai and open a cloud
kitchen to cater to food
deliveries. The company, which
has seven outlets in Mumbai,
prepares its salads and juices
on the spot using fresh organic
and local ingredients. It has
partnered with organic farmers
to source its products and
has developed its own 10,000
square feet of land to grow its
produce.

Singapore-based Universal Success investing in India in 2004. It runs
Enterprises has acquired the Indian restaurants under the brand name
business of US restaurant chain Outback Steakhouse in Southeast
TGI Friday's Inc. Universal Success Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore
bought the US company's 25 per and the Philippines. TGI Friday’s
cent stake in the Indian venture started operations in India in 1996
and the 75 per cent stake held by as a joint venture between Bistro
local partner Bistro Hospitality for Hospitality and TGI Friday’s Inc. The
an undisclosed amount. Universal American chain has nine stores in
Success was founded by Prasoon India after it closed three outlets
Mukherjee in 2000 and started last year.

12 COMPANY NEWS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

PureCircle Licious brings first meat
launches based spread range to India
ice-cream with
zero added sugar Consolidating its position as at $800-million, is growing at
India’s first and only Meat Food
PureCircle, the world’s leading Brand, Licious has announced a steady rate of 16 per cent.
producer and innovator of stevia its foray into packaged food
sweeteners, is launching a great- category with the launch of its Butter, jams, chocolate spreads
tasting branded gourmet ice latest innovation. The company
cream with zero added sugar launched a first-of-its-kind and mayo-based spreads have
and sweetened with its next ‘meat-based-spreads’ that will
generation stevia leaf sweeteners. transform the way we consume been the key products, with little
In connection with the launch of meat in India. In its fifth year of
the new ice cream, PureCircle has operations, Licious is entering on offer for the meat lovers. As
partnered with the Illinois chapter a new phase of growth with
of JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research product diversification and India’s first consumer unicorn
Foundation.), which funds research, exciting line-up of launches
advocates for government action planned through the year. The in the making, Licious is all set
and provides support to fight type spreads category in India, valued
1 diabetes. Recognizing the healthy to revolutionise this category,
attributes of PureCircle’s zero-added
sugar ice cream, JDRF will help starting with six uniquely
PureCircle educate its members
about this new product and will flavoured meat spreads- butter
provide PureCircle opportunities
to sample and sell the ice cream chicken, continental chicken,
at certain JDRF events. PureCircle
has overcome the past challenges honey-mustard chicken,
facing stevia leaf sweeteners: taste,
supply and cost. The company’s shawarma chicken, sweet
next generation non-GMO stevia
sweeteners have a clean, sugar-like tamarind chicken and herby-
taste and work well across multiple
consumer product categories. And tomato chicken.
PureCircle has ramped up its ability
to supply the next generation Nestle Health Science expands
sweeteners, like Reb M, in the large into personalised nutrition
quantities that food and beverage
companies require – and cost Nestlé Health Science (NHSc) nutritional assessment. Persona’s
effectively to them. algorithm is based on thousands
a globally recognized leader in of research studies and the
expertise of the company’s
the field of nutritional science, Medical Advisory Board. The
individualized assessments meet
is expanding into personalized consumers’ desires to find the
right nutritional supplements
nutrition with the acquisition of for their unique needs, and
eventually will further support
Persona, a leading personalized the healthcare professionals
in Atrium Professional Brands’
vitamin business founded in longstanding network with
their recommendations to their
2017. Persona will operate patients and consumers.

under NHSc’s USA-based Atrium

Professional Brands. Persona’s

science-based proprietary

technology takes into account

specific factors in a consumer’s

lifestyle, history and individual

needs to develop a customized

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in COMPANY NEWS 13

Herbalife Amalgam forays into
frozen food market
Nutrition flags off
Leading Kochi based seafood from the present 3 to 100 in the
mobile science exporter Amalgam group is next three years. After Kerala,
aiming at capturing a significant the company is looking at
vans in Karnataka share of the fast growing Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore,
frozen food market in India by and Bhubaneswar for setting
Herbalife Nutrition the global leader introducing health-oriented up its outlets. The company
in nutrition, celebrated twenty years frozen foods and rolling out has also started with gluten-
of its business in India by flagging exclusive retail outlets to market free rice roti and will soon
off mobile science laboratories at it. The group company Amalgam launch gluten-free parathas
Tumkur Government School. The Frozen Foods will bring a range and chapathis. Other current
mobile science laboratories will of frozen food products for products include organically
enable school children to learn health conscious people under grown green peas and sweet
where schools have inadequate its buffet brand. The company corn and coconut products from
or no scientific laboratory will increase its network of organically certified islands of
facilities. Designed on a van, exclusive buffet products outlets Lakshadweep.
each laboratory is well equipped
with hundreds of experiments
designed to provide students with
a hands-on learning experience.
Conceptualised in association with
Agastya Foundation, the mobile
science laboratories will cater to
70 government schools in Bidar,
Tumkur and Gulbarga region. Each
mobile science laboratory will reach
out to approximately 2000 children
across three towns & will generate
16,000 exposures across the year
through eight annual visits.

Lupin signs pact for hemp oil based cannaQIX

Pharma major Lupin has announced to reduce stress and to support
that its subsidiary in South Africa, mental and nervous functions.
Pharma Dynamics has signed a Cannabidiol is one of many identified
Commercial Agreement with Creso cannabinoids in cannabis plants and
Pharma for the hemp oil based has been linked to improved anxiety,
cannaQIX. Creso affords Pharma pain management, movement
Dynamics sole distribution rights of therapy and cognition. The products
its organic, broad spectrum hemp are sugar free and contain no
oil nutraceutical, cannaQIX10, across Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the
South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, principal psychoactive constituent
Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Lesotho, of cannabis. The standardized, user-
Angola, Mozambique and Uganda. friendly strength and formulation
The cannaQIX range of products are allows precise dosage control,
cannabidiol (CBD) hemp oil-based ensuring a reliable and stable effect
nutraceuticals, which contain full over several days. The cannaQIX
spectrum organic hemp oil extracts range has been developed per Good
with CBD, vitamins and zinc, aiming Manufacturing Practice standards.

14 START-UP NEWS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Iron Pillar leads investment
round for FreshToHome

Bengaluru based online meat food categories like fruits and HungerBox
startup FreshToHome has raised vegetables, organic cow and
$20 million Series B finding led by buffalo milk, cold pressed oils, receives funds
Iron Pillar, with key participation organic staples, dairy products,
from Joe Hirao, the Founder of and other food products. The from Paytm
ZIGExN, Japan. Existing investors team currently claims to have
including CE Ventures, Massar over 650,000 customers across One97 Communications, the
International, Al Nassar Holdings, 10 cities, with over 1,500 local parent of digital payments major
TTCER Partners, and Sin Growth fishermen, around 125 coasts Paytm, has invested Rs 47 crore in
Partners participated in the in India. According to the EatGood Technologies, the parent
round. With this current funding startup, a total of 20 tonnes of of Bengaluru-based, corporate food
the team will be looking to fish and meat are sold per day. catering startup HungerBox, as a
expand into other cities in India FreshToHome has expanded to part of its Series C round. Founded
and the UAE. The startup will Mumbai and Pune, and the UAE. in 2016, HungerBox operates
also use the funds to diversify The team also recently launched across geographies, including
its product offerings into their offline stores across Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad,
other fresh and chemical-free Bengaluru and Chennai. Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Jaipur,
and Kolkata. The company’s tech-
led solution enables end-to-end
digital cafeteria management
with its proprietary technology
platform connecting food
vendors to employees within
client organisations through a
customised mobile app available to
each employee.

Marico increases stake in fitness startup

Consumer goods maker Marico The company was incubated at
has decided to increase its stake Ant Farm, the startup accelerator
in fitness and wellness platform founded by former Times Internet
Revofit to 37 per cent from 22.5 per chief executive Rishi Khiani, in 2014.
cent. It will acquire the additional Khiani set up Ant Farm in 2012. It
stake over the next one year. helps in ideation, scaling an existing
Revofit creates customised meal idea and monitoring its execution.
plans and workout regimens for Ad-tech platform Fork Media,
users and helps them stick to their food delivery startup Scootsy and
fitness goals. It also develops and UberDreams, which allows users to
sells ready-to-eat food through its bid for experiences with celebrities,
online platform and physical stores. come under its umbrella.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in START-UP NEWS 15

FreshMenu pumps angel money in Lo! Foods

Lo! Foods, which offers low-carb food products
for Indian consumers, has raised Rs 3.5 crore
from angel investors. The investors in this round
include Rashmi Daga (founder, FreshMenu),
Raveen Sastry (co-founder, Myntra) and Mitesh
Shah (finance chief, BookMyShow). The funding
will be mainly used to ramp up online presence.
The Bengaluru-based startup, owned by Bajo
Foods, aims to reduce with its food products
the incidence of diabetes and cardiac diseases
in India. Lo! Foods offers a range of products
that includes low-carb atta, biscuits, snacks,
namkeen and chocolates. The products are
available on platforms like FreshMenu, Amazon,
Flipkart and Bigbasket.

Beverage startup LQI Mr Milkman plans
next round of funding
secures funds for expansion
After raising its first round of funding from the founders
Technology enabled beverage startup LQI, based in of mosquito repellent brand AllOut, SaaS-based dairy
Gurugram, has secured an undisclosed amount of startup Mr Milkman is in talks to raise $3-5 million in
funding from singer Sukhbir Singh. The investment its next round of funding. Till now, the company has
is a part of $2,00,000 seed funding round, which LQI provided technological support to dairy firms in India
is raising from angel investors. Founded in mid-2016 across 50 cities. The amount raised will be utilised
by Shubham Khanna, Palak Kapoor, and Kapil Kumar, by the company to extend its offering to hardware
LQI will use the funds to increase the production products. The plan is to provide dairy firms a hardware
capacity and the geographical expansion to newer to gauge temperature fluctuations at the retail outlets,
markets. LQI uses its proprietary technology to adding that this will help the firms know whether or
manufacture smoothies, milkshakes, and fruit water not optimum temperature was maintained at the retail
frozen packs made with 100 per cent raw fresh fruit outlet. Founded in 2017, Mr Milkman works with large
with an increased shelf life of 2.5 months without small-scale dairies, milk brands and individual milk
the use of any colors, flavors, purees or preservatives. suppliers to better organise themselves using an online
LQI currently works on a B2B2C and HORECA (Hotel/ SaaS platform. It organises and automates the customer
Restaurant/Cafe) model and has tie-ups with around management. It also helps various dairies keep track of
100+ B2B brands like Pitapit, Innerchef, Donor & their operational processes by reporting anomalies and
Gyros, IHOP, Burgrill, etc. providing extensive reports.

16 WORLD NEWS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Pakistan brings nutrition Nepal raises milk prices
awareness campaign
The Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) in
Planning Commission of Pakistan and Planning and Nepal has raised the price of milk by Rs 6 per
Development Board Punjab are jointly launching a liter. With this, the price of standard milk will
venture for awareness about good nutrition food for go up to Rs 38 for a half-liter pouch, up from
children. The recommendations have been finalized Rs 35 per pouch. This is the first hike in milk
for strengthening and scaling up of nutrition activities prices in two years. The DDC raised the price
in Punjab, for fighting against the health problems of of milk following the approval of the Ministry
malnourished and stunted children, and improving the of Agricultural and Livestock Development.
indicators of mother and child health. According to Dr The DDC has also decided to raise the prices of
Suhail Saqlain, Member Health Nutrition and Population whole milk, cow milk and tea milk by Rs 10 per
Welfare P&D, most people did not have sufficient liter, according to Shrestha. It has kept the prices
knowledge and awareness regarding the nutritional of other dairy products unchanged. According
food and their children eat enough food items without to DDC, farmers, who produce milk, will pocket
sufficient ingredients due to that these children face iron 69 per cent of the hiked price while remaining
deficiency and lack of vitamins. price will go to DDC.

FAO supports Bangladesh to fight micronutrient deficiencies

The Food and Agriculture soil management, aims to improve countries, together with Burkina
Organization (FAO) of the United the nutritional quality of locally Faso and Malawi, to pilot the
Nations has taken up an innovative produced foods and Bangladesh project as people in these countries
project to improve the nutritional has been selected as one of three commonly have micronutrient
quality of locally
produced foods in deficiencies. The
Bangladesh. The main objective of
move comes amidst the first project is to
growing concern over promote and support
soil loosing essential the application of
micronutrients in sustainable soil
Bangladesh thereby, management (SSM)
affecting nutrition value for nutrition-sensitive
of foods produced in agriculture with the
the country. The new purpose to improve the
project, on sustainable nutritional quality of
locally produced foods.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in WORLD NEWS 17

Cargill invests Hershey
$75M to boost PURIS
announces
Cargill has invested an additional great tasting plant-based products
$75 million in PURIS, the largest in the market place. PURIS offers investments
North American producer of pea non-GMO and organic pea protein
protein. The investment enables options that are renowned for their in snacking
PURIS to more than double its proprietary, high-quality, clean
pea protein production using flavor. Its non-major food allergen biz
an existing 200,000 square-foot and vegan features check all the
facility in the US. This investment boxes consumers are looking for The Hershey Company
will position PURIS to keep up in label-friendly products across is further expanding its
with the ever-increasing demand multiple food and beverage position as a snacking
for its category leading pea categories. category leader,
proteins, starches and fibers all announcing minority
grown and produced through its investments in emerging
unique vertically integrated and snacking businesses
transparent supply chain. This is FULFIL Holdings Limited
more than a pea protein facility. This and Blue Stripes LLC.
is the future of food. The Dawson C7 Ventures, Hershey’s
facility will not only support PURIS venture model, provides
farmers in the U.S. with a crop that the company with new
regenerates their land and that is avenues for growth
sustainable because it provides through the deployment of
soil health advantages but will also small capital investments
support the growing demand for in disruptive or emerging
platforms focused on
Symrise opens flavour new occasions, new
application lab in Nigeria technologies and new go-
to-market opportunities.
Flavour and fragrance manufacturer Symrise has opened its first applications lab FULFIL is a one of the
in Nigeria, as the company aims to strengthen its presence in the region. Based leading makers of great
in Lagos, the lab will develop flavours for various application areas, in particular tasting, vitamin fortified,
for beverages, sweet applications and savoury foods, as well as fragrances and high protein nutrition bars
cosmetic ingredients. According to Symrise, the overarching goal of the new in the UK and Ireland. The
application lab is to boost the development of products which meet local partnership will create
customer preferences and market requirements, while simultaneously increasing opportunities in new
the speed at which these products come to market. Symrise has been active in occasions among new
the country for over 30 years, and hopes that the new facilities will enhance the consumer segments and
operations of its current sales office in the country. markets.

18 ANALYSIS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Plastic Ban-

A BOON OR BANE?
This Independence day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a pledge to ban the use of single-use plastic
by October 2. Although the plastic ban is directed towards a healthier environment, businesses in the
food, beverage retail and e-commerce industries are set to be the most affected by this development.
Now all stakeholders are working on finding alternatives to plastic.

This Independence day, Prime Minister Narendra plastic use by 25 per cent and plans to move entirely to
Modi took a pledge to ban the use of single-use recycled plastic consumption in its own supply chain by
plastic by October 2, as a result of which the March 2021.
industry has started aligning itself with the PM’s ultimate
goal of scrapping plastic by 2022. This announcement Companies involved in the food packaging
takes us back to March 2018 when Maharashtra became sector are looking out for best possible alternatives
the first state in India to implement a ban on single-use to plastic such as paper, jute, cloth, glass and even
plastics. Following its footsteps, Telangana, Himachal plant-based packaging. For example, multinational
Pradesh and Tamil Nadu embraced the changes.
At present, almost every other state is banning food packaging company Tetra Pak is assessing
plastic in some or the other way. a number of biodegradable options, such as
polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), a polymer
Although the plastic ban is directed derived from plant-based materials, as part
towards a healthier environment, businesses of a broader programme to help address
in the food, beverage retail and e-commerce the issue of plastic straw waste. On a
industries are set to be the most affected by similar track, many domestic food
this development. Amazon's Indian arm is packaging companies have already
planning to replace all single use plastic started utilizing alternatives for
in its packaging by June 2020 and use their products. “As the ban
paper cushions instead. Likewise, on plastic has become
more aggressive, we
rival Flipkart is cutting down on have started focusing on
single-use virgin craft paper for the
packaging purposes. It is
completely biodegradable
and thus environmental
friendly. It will surely
pick up demand with the
consumers, vendors etc.”,
mentions K. Jitender Prakash,
Vice President-Sales, H.R.
Associates.
Bringing out technology as
an alternative, Germany-based
company Bio-lutions GmbH is
using a patented mechanical process
through which agricultural residual
fibres are converted into self-binding
micro and nano fibrillated natural
fibres using only water, for packaging

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in ANALYSIS 19

purposes. The company has set up its first ever pilot INDUSTRY SUGGESTS
project in Bengaluru and is slowly working toward ALTERNATIVES TO PLASTIC
making a huge change in the game of disposables
and packaging. “While plastic and paper are cheap,  Virgin Craft Paper
innovative technologies can make best alternatives at  Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)
competitive prices. Through our technology, we obtain  Recycled plastic
sugar leaves, pineapple leaves, tomato leaves, banana  Agricultural residual fibres
stems, water hyacinth plants from the farmers. These  Mono-materials
are then converted into all natural, biodegradable,  Plant based materials
recyclable, and 100 per cent food grade packaging. The  Glass
end product is being provided to local businesses in  Jute
Bengaluru where plastic is already banned, filling in the
need for sustainable packaging”, shares Kurian George, Blenders and Distillers are considering increased use
Director, India partner, Bio-lution GmbH. of glass in packaging taking it as a preferred option for
environmental well-being.
While working on bringing out best alternatives
to plastic, food packaging companies are also It seems likely that the appetite for eco-friendly
concerned about the challenges associated alongside. products is projected to boost the global demand for
“It is extremely challenging for the food packaging sustainable packaging in the coming few years. But the
industry. The requirement of the day is using recyclable question remains whether these alternatives will be
materials keeping the environmental hazards in mind. able to fulfil the requirements that were being served
We are working on developing sustainable solutions by plastic or bring about a new set of challenges.
in accordance to the changing regulations by the “Replacing plastic packaging with food-based starch
government. But we require the support from the that companies like PepsiCo are suggesting would mean
customers in terms of the costs”, mentions Asish C diverting huge agricultural and forest land. This could
Mathew, DGM, Sales & Marketing, Paharpur 3P. create food scarcity in the future if not handled with
care. While we need to eliminate plastics from a policy
Joining the bandwagon to deal with the plastic waste point of view and business, the much larger issue is the
menace are a number of food and beverage companies. issue of overconsumption. Of the popular three Rs –
In June 2018, PepsiCo India had announced that the Reduce, Reuse and Recycle – companies have promoted
packaging for its snack products, Lays and Kurkure, will only recycle. Reduction also needs to be looked at.
be made from 100 per cent compostable, plant-based But promoting reduction and reusing will not go well
material very soon. While India will be the first major with manufacturing industries as it will hit profits”, says
market for the initiative, by 2025 the company aims to Dharmesh Shah, Environmental Policy Researcher.
use either recyclable or compostable packaging for its
products globally. On the other hand, Coca-Cola India On the whole, this development on plastic ban
is working with the Bengaluru based NGO Saahas to will hugely affect the plastic industry. Despite its
improve recycling, and promote source segregation of well documented ill-effects, the reason why plastic
waste as part of their Alag Karo initiative launched in remains popular is its versatility. It is cheap, and it can
2017. Tetra Pak India and GIZ are the other partners of be moulded into a variety of shapes and structures.
the initiative that aims to segregate waste into wet, dry According to the All India Plastic Manufacturers
and recyclable categories. Association (AIPMA), the Indian plastic industry is worth
Rs 100,000 crore with 13.4 Million Metric Ton Per Annum
Likewise, Nestle India is switching to mono- (MMTPA) growing at a CAGR of 10.5 per cent and it is
materials for packaging instead of multi-layer plastic expected to reach 22 MMTPA by 2020.
packaging. In addition, it will be collaborating with
other industry players who will help the brand develop “Plastic industry is one of the fastest growing
better packaging waste management systems including industries in the Indian economy. The industry comprises
effective recycling processes. “We know that 100 per of approximately 50,000 processors and 7500 recyclers.
cent recyclability is not enough to successfully tackle the As per the UN Environment report, single-use plastics,
plastics waste crisis. We need to push the boundaries often also referred to as disposable plastics, are
and do more. We believe in the value of recyclable and commonly used for plastic packaging and include items
compostable paper-based materials and biodegradable intended to be used only once before they are thrown
polymers, in particular where recycling infrastructure away or recycled. These include, among other items,
does not exist,” points out Mark Schneider, CEO, Nestle. grocery bags, food packaging, bottles, straws, containers,
On the other hand, Cremica Food Industries, and Allied

20 ANALYSIS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

FSSAI INITIATIVES cups and cutlery. However, by copying blindly the UN
report, it will only hamper the Indian plastic industry and
Aligned with the Prime Minister’s call for action to economy adversely. A proper definition and collation
eliminate single-use plastic in coming years, develop of plastics need to be done by Ministry of Environment,
environmental friendly substitutes and also an Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). Urban local
efficient plastic collection and disposal system in the bodies have to come out with collection and segregation
food and beverages (F&B) sector, the Food Safety and plan of plastic waste with the help of involved
Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is developing stakeholders and associations. The greater use of plastic
a concrete action plan in partnership with all in agriculture can also help to a great extent to achieve
stakeholders. Apart from developing this incremental up to fifty percent of the intended targets in Agriculture”,
and agile plan, FSSAI has recently initiated some comments Hiten Bheda, Chairman, Environment
regulatory measures to enable F&B industry to Committee, All India Plastic Manufacturers Association.
reduce its plastic footprint. These include:
At present, the packaged drinking water makers
 Hotels can use paper-sealed glass bottles are feeling the maximum pinch. The Union Minister of
for captive use without BIS certification in place of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ram
plastic bottles. An order has been recently issued on Vilas Paswan has asked manufacturers of packaged
this. drinking water to come up with alternative packaging
solutions but the companies are seeking more clarity
 Use of bamboo as an alternative to plastics on the issue of classifying polyethylene terephthalate
such as straws, plates, bowls, cutlery etc. (PET) bottles as single-use plastic. Although, the Railway
ministry which manufactures and sells packaged
 Removing the restriction on use of returnable drinking water under 'Rail Neer' brand is also looking for
bottles for packaging of artificially sweetened alternatives including inserting polymers to make the
beverages. bottle biodegradable. In addition, the Railway Board has
asked authorities to expedite the installation of 1,853
 Permitting the use of liquid nitrogen dosing in plastic water bottle crushing machines at 360 major
PET bottles during the packaging of drinking water. stations. Supporting the initiative, the Airports Authority
of India (AAI) has declared 20 more airports single-use
The Food Authority has started a consumer plastic free. As many as 55 Indian airports are single-use
awareness campaign “Eat Right India for Sustainable plastic free now.
Living” as a call to action for plastic waste
management and reduction of plastic footprint in With this waging war on single-use plastic, mixed
the F&B industry. This campaign came right after the feelings are cropping up with some pointing at the
‘Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2019’ programme launched positive environmental impact of such an action and
by the Prime Minister, which has a special focus on others citing the likely challenges it could cause to the
plastic waste awareness and management. FSSAI is industry. But overcoming the convenience factor that
further asking State/UT Food Safety departments has made plastic ubiquitous in our lives remains the
to conduct similar awareness and collection drives biggest obstacle.
at public places and malls at their State capitals
and major cities in accordance with the timelines Dr Manbeena Chawla
of SHS 2019 campaign. It has also urged the State [email protected]
Level Advisory Committees to organise State level
discussions around the same and devise activities for
sustaining the agenda.

It may be recalled that India’s top food safety
regulator FSSAI has issued notification in December
2018 stating that it will ban the use of plastic that is
used in the packaging of food items starting from
July 1, 2019. The FSSAI has prohibited the use of
recycled plastic or newspaper and magazine pages
which have been used in packaging several food
items. The move comes after a survey conducted by
FSSAI showed that the unorganised sector was found
to be making use of hazardous packaging material,
for which, the regulator thought, a strict step has to
be taken.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in COVER STORY 21

COUBREBSINITGY

With a mission to lead and drive global
efforts to reduce, prevent and treat
obesity, the World Obesity Federation
(WOF) launched World Obesity Day
in 2015 that is now observed globally
on October 11. With more than 135
million individuals affected by obesity
in India, abdominal obesity is one of
the major risk factors for cardiovascular
disease (CVDs). The WOF estimates about
three out of ten Indians are expected to be obese
by 2025. India needs to gather some learning
lessons from other countries where the industry is
collaborating with regulators to achieve regulatory
environments that are conducive for product
reformulation, labelling and marketing regulation,
ensuring a range of healthy options for consumers.

Chronic diseases have emerged as the leading causes of death in India,
accounting for about seven out of ten deaths in the country. The
burden of chronic diseases is predicted to continue to escalate due
to the changing lifestyle and behaviour patterns. One of the most
common lifestyle-related diseases is obesity that is rapidly increasing
due to the growing industrialization and rapid urbanization. The worldwide
prevalence of overweight and obesity has doubled since 1980 to an extent that
nearly a third of the world population is now classified as overweight or obese.

22 COVER STORY NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Globally, 678 million adults, or 1 in 8, were obese in 2018. new psycho-sensory dimension over the years when the
According to the 2019 UN report, obesity contributes to food industry discovered that these ingredients could
an estimated 4 million deaths and costs of approximately be used to produce a state of satiety and pleasure for
$2 trillion annually to the global economy. With a the consumers. According to a global survey conducted
mission to lead and drive global efforts to reduce, by the George Institute for Global Health in 2019,
prevent and treat obesity, the World Obesity Federation packaged food in India has been ranked lowest in terms
(WOF) launched World Obesity Day in 2015 that is now of its healthiness. The survey highlights the high levels
observed globally on October 11. of sugar, saturated fat, salt and calories in many of our
favorite packaged food items. India’s packaged foods
With more than 135 million individuals affected by and drinks were found to be the most energy-dense with
obesity in India, abdominal obesity is one of the major a kilojoule content of 1515 kJ/100 g.
risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVDs). The WOF
estimates about three out of ten Indians are expected “Because of the current situation, the Indian
to be obese by 2025. The prevalence of obesity in India population is becoming more aware of the need
varies due to age, gender, geographical environment, to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This is leading to an
socio-economic status, etc. Various studies have shown increasing need for lifestyle managers in the country.
that the prevalence of obesity among women were Sensing the opportunity, FMCG companies and digital
significantly higher as compared to men. According health startups are already moving aggressively to meet
to the Indian Council of Medical Research-India the shifting needs of the consumers. Startups are coming
Diabetes (ICMR-INDIAB) 2017 study that conducted up with new personalized digital solutions for prevention
the most comprehensive analysis of physical activity
patterns across states, has found that women are far
less active than men. The study has also revealed that
the prevalence of obesity is higher among the urban
populations, high socioeconomic states and also in
South India.

Another major concern is childhood obesity with
India having the second highest number of obese
children in the world standing at a number of 14.4
million. Even though the occurrence of obesity among
children is lower than adults, childhood obesity has
grown at a faster rate than adult obesity in India. From
1998 to 2018, the prevalence of obesity in childhood
and adulthood is rapidly spurting due to sedentary
life style and consumption of high calories food. Most
calories in the diet come from the ultra-processed foods.
Despite presence of high percentages of sugar, salt, and
fat, processed foods sell because they are cheap and
convenient.

In fact the trio of salt, sugar and fat has taken on a

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in COVER STORY 23

and management of obesity, INTERNATIONAL
and maintaining healthy REGULATORY EXAMPLES
lifestyle on one hand, while
the FMCG companies are (i) Higher taxes on unhealthy products-
launching a whole new line Excise tax and junk food taxes are implemented
of Smart and Healthy food on sweetened sugar beverages in Mexico and
products on the other”, shares Denmark respectively.
Sriram Shrinivasan, Partner,
Global Emerging Public health product tax was passed by the
Markets Hungary Parliament on food components having
Leader, Life high salt, sugar and fat contents.
Sciences, EY.
(ii) Subsidies for healthy products- A 50
In June 2019, chocolate maker Mondelez launched per cent tax reduction is proposed by the French
a new variant of its popular Dairy Milk chocolate with Government in the advertising costs of fruits and
30 per cent less sugar. In line with this, Del Monte has vegetables. Such measures restrict products rich in
pledged to reduce added sugar, salt and fat by 20-30 per fat, salt or sugar from the market so that real food
cent in relevant products by 2025 while Kellogg plans to alternatives can be subsidized or promoted.
cut sugar and salt in its ready-to-eat by 10-30 per cent by
2020. Marico on the other hand has pledged to reduce In the UK, there is zero VAT on unprocessed
meat and fish, cereals, nuts and pulses.

(iii) Regulation on unhealthy behavior- Japan
passed the Metabo Law in 2008 for addressing the
issue of obesity, which requires people above 40
years to have their waist circumference measured
annually. Fines are imposed on companies and
local governments that do not meet specific
targets.

(iv) Restriction of unhealthy food products-
In Finland, the annual renewal of restaurant
licences is dependent on a commitment on the
implementation of salt reduction actions such as
removing salt-shakers and high-salt sauces from
restaurant tables and providing them only on
request.

Uruguay has banned table salt and salty
condiments such as ketchup and mayonnaise,
from restaurants in a bid to lower the salt intake.
Restaurants must also provide low salt options and
should add warnings of high salt content to menu.

Source- Re-engineering Indian healthcare 2.0- FICCI report 2019

salt by 15 per cent in new products like Saffola Mustard
Oats by 2020 and Patanjali is coming up with sugar-free
Chyawanprash and plans to reduce sugar in its existing
Chyawanprash by 3-5 per cent. Adding to the list, Nestle
India aims to further cut down added sugar by six per
cent, salt by 10 per cent and fat by 2.5 per cent by 2020,
whereas Hindustan Unilever (HUL) will reduce use of
sodium salts in 75 per cent of its offerings to the level of
five gram per day. ITC too intends to reduce salt by 10
percent in 75 per cent of its noodles and snacks portfolio
by 2023. A step ahead, Britannia has already reduced the
sugar content by 6 per cent per serving over the last six
years and has committed to reducing it further by 5 per

24 COVER STORY NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

INDUSTRY TARGETS TO CURB OBESITY personalized needs through studying their genetic
profiles with the help of dietitians and nutritionists.
 Del Monte- 20-30% added sugar, salt and fat
reduction by 2025 “While on one end, large scale initiatives are aimed
at curbing the sedentary lifestyle related issues, there
 Kellogg- 10-30% sugar and salt reduction in its is a simultaneous rise in the use of advanced gadgets
ready-to-eat by 2020 such as fitbit, and myfitnessPal apps, which provide
easy to follow diet and lifestyle plans on the individual's
 Marico- 15% salt reduction in new products by smart phones. These also ensure patient adherence to
2020 the treatment and behavioural therapy regime with
constant and timely reminders of medications, exercises
 Patanjali- 3-5% sugar reduction in and rest, there by inducing the patient to follow a
Chyawanprash balanced and health lifestyle. With the existence of
players such as Wellthy therapeutics, providing India's
 Nestle India- 6% sugar, 10% salt, 2.5% fat first digital therapeutic, Frost & Sullivan expects the
reduction by 2020 launch of an innovative obesity related therapy soon
enough in the country, owing to
 Hindustan Unilever (HUL)- 75% sodium salts the ever changing landscape
reduction for digital therapeutics. As a
result, India is set to emerge
 ITC- 10% salt reduction by 2023 as a key region with several
 Britannia- 5% further sugar reduction by 2025 small to mid-segment niche
players already developing
cent in next 5 years. innovative healthcare related
Alongside this reduction in salt, sugar and fat, digital products specifically
for Indian population”,
lifestyle changes such adopting a balanced diet, points out Aarti
exercising are some other critical areas that need Chitale, Senior
attention. As a result, this current situation has Research Analyst -
opened up opportunities for a number of startups Transformational
who have entered into the space of personal health Health, Frost & Sullivan.
management, nutrigenomics and fitness. For instance,
Wellthy Therapeutics offers a mobile app which Besides coming up with innovative health
prescribes a health programme for its users through management ideas, many startups in India are also
a series of interventions that include a personalised launching healthy snacks and quick bites in order to
nutrition plan and a dedicated health coach. Likewise, bring healthier food choices to the consumers. In August
AI-powered wellness app Tweak and Eat, owned by a 2019, Bengaluru based startup Lo! Foods raised Rs 3.5
global provider of mobile Health (mHealth) apps and crore in order to expand its range of low-carb food
services Purple Teal, has launched two new personalized products in the market. Joining the bandwagon is a
health management programmes for its users- My Gurugram based startup WhiteCub that has created a
Tweak & Eat and My AiDP for a more comprehensive cholesterol free, trans-fat free and gluten free certified
and proactive counselling from nutritionists for weight dairyfree ice cream. Another Gurugram based startup
management. Similarly, initiatives such as Fitternity, Cure. Poshtik is offering whole wheat brownies made with
fit, HealthifyMe, GoQii are garnering huge attention in chocolate without trans-fats and hydrogenated fats,
the fitness market. While they all adopt a different model, using honey and jaggery only as
the ultimate objective is to get users working out, eating sweeteners.
right and stay generally fit.
On this note, Megha Joshi,
Few startups have gone further ahead and integrated Healthcare Consultant
genomic science with nutrition. Nutrigenomics, initially says, “A bunch of startups
referred to the study of the effects of nutrients on the have entered the market
expression of an individual’s genetic makeup, has been with low-calorie, health
broadened to encompass nutritional factors that protect foods such as kale and
the genome from damage. For example, Mumbai based apple chips, high-fibre
startup Gene Box studies the person’s food and fitness bars and cold press
specifics in the guiding light of his/her genetic makeup, juices. Newer packaged
thereby arriving at tailor-made recommendations
that are free of generic conclusions or convenient
conjectures. On the other hand, Pune-based GeneOmbio
Technologies offers a range of tests catered to the users’

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in COVER STORY 25

snacks that are gluten-free, trans-fat free and have a trans-fat free logo to be voluntarily displayed by the
zero cholesterol content are generating interest and food business operators on food products and in their
gaining footprint across retail stores. The last 2-3 years outlets. “FSSAI is committed to reducing the industrially
have also witnessed giants like Nestle, Britannia and produced trans-fatty acids to less than two per cent by
Marico introduce healthy snacks based on brown rice, the year 2022 in a phased manner. This is in line with
oats and flax seeds. In times when product life cycles our objective to get Freedom from ‘Trans Fat: India@75.
are contracting and consumers and getting aware and The industry has recognised the threat trans-fats pose
picky, for all the right reasons, the food industry needs to for a healthy diet system and therefore agrees with the
perhaps revisit their portfolio and provide the consumer plan. The industry wholeheartedly agrees to eliminate
with the right thing to munch on”. the trans-fats and it would look for alternatives for
manufacturing products. Over the past decade, FSSAI
The problem in hand is surely a big one that has helped the industries work with five per
requires co-ordination between the industry and the cent Trans Fatty Acids (TFA) limit. Now it
government so that a sound plan can be ticked off in is being brought down to 2 per cent.
the right direction. However, the main challenge for the This is being done on a voluntary basis
food industry is balancing responsibility with consumer right now but with strong nudging and
interests and freedom of choice. Taste is still a key factor regular communication with industry.
when we choose which food or drink to consume, and The industry is quite positive about
this is unlikely to change. this and working towards necessary
alterations in machinery, raw
Government Initiatives material, labour and so
on. By 2022, it is hoped
The most recent initiative by the central government to eliminate TFA from
Fit India resonates well with the fitness based startups Indian diets”, elaborates
Cure.fit, HealthifyMe, GoQii that are already in the fray to Pawan Agarwal, CEO, FSSAI.
keep people active and healthy by suggesting exercises,
diets and sessions with experts. The core objective of Around the same time in May 2018, FSSAI came up
the Fit India Movement is to encourage people to make with another initiative to stem the increase in obesity
physical activity and sports a part of their daily lives, in across India, by launching Safe and Nutritious Food
an attempt to counter the growing epidemics of obesity at the Workplace (SNF@Workplace programme). As a
in India. part of this initiative, a resource book called ‘Orange
Book: Y­ our Guide for Safe and Nutritious Food at the
A major initiative by the government came in April
2018 when the Food Safety and Standards Authority
of India (FSSAI) proposed to make it mandatory to
display red colour-coding on front-of-the-pack labels
on packaged food products that have high-fat, high-
sugar and high-salt content levels. The regulatory body
recommended that in the case of High Fat, Sugar and
Salt (HFSS) packaged food products, the percentages of
dietary energy values will be highlighted in red colour
on the labels. A year later in 2019, FSSAI has completed
the planning for colour-coded labelling. Currently, it is
in the process of comprehensive revision of Food Safety
and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations,
2011 with the objective of having three different
regulations dealing separately to packaging, labelling
and advertisement and claims requirements.

Later in May 2018, FSSAI proposed to limit the
maximum amount of trans-fat content in vegetable
oils, vegetable fat and hydrogenated vegetable oil to
two per cent by weight as part of its goal to make India
trans-fat free by 2022. It falls a year ahead of the global
target set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for
complete elimination of trans-fat in 2023. Committed to
eliminate industrial trans-fats, FSSAI has also unveiled

26 COVER STORY NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

EMERGING INITIATIVES trans-fats from the chain. This needs to be supplemented
by political will and efforts by health organizations
 NutriGenomics to ensure that the relevant regulations are passed.
 Wearable devices Effective implementation will also require consultations
 Health based apps with food manufacturers about the time they may
 Personalised Nutrition take to adjust. One option could be to engage with
 AI powered Nutrition Coaches chefs and understand how healthier eatables could be
mass-produced. Apart from this, there is also a need
Workplace’, developed by a team of food safety experts to expand investment in R&D to
and nutritionists from premier institutions in the country, get a variety of options that
was also released. Before SNF@Workplace, the FSSAI had are affordable, tasty, but
launched SNF@Home for promoting food safety, hygiene do not compromise on
and good nutrition in every Indian household, SNF@ health. Equally important is
School towards ensuring good health among school individuals’ wave to boycott
children, and SNF@Hospitals in order to ensure that safe high trans-fat food in the
and nutritious food is served to the patients in hospitals. restaurants and ask for trans-
Likewise, FSSAI had released a Pink Book for the SNF@ fat free food”, shares Dr KK
Home initiative and Yellow Book for the SNF@School Aggarwal, President,
programme. Heart Care
Foundation of
Further in July 2018, FSSAI launched the Eat Right India.
Movement focused on reduction of high fat, sugar and
salt foods in the diet. A year after this announcement, Sharing his thoughts on effectively reducing trans-
FSSAI has launched the new Eat Right India logo and fat availability, Dr Subhojit Dey, Executive Director,
also put in place robust regulatory measures under three Disha Foundation says, “The most effective way to
major pillars: Eat Safe, Eat Health and Eat Sustainably. reduce trans-fat availability in the food supply is to ban
Further in this direction, FSSAI has prescribed a limit for it. Although there have only been a few countries that
Total Polar Compounds (TPC) at 25 per cent in cooking
oil to avoid the harmful effects of reused cooking oil. In have been able to enact a ban, this
addition, over 1.7 lakh food safety supervisors have been approach to reducing trans-fat
trained by FSSAI under the Food Safety Training and in the food supply has been
Certification (FoSTaC) as part of this movement till date, successful. Some countries like
who will spread awareness and sensitise people and Canada and the United States
food vendors on healthy eating and food safety. have been able to significantly
lower trans-fat levels in the
“A multi-stakeholder approach at the manufacturer, food supply with mandatory
retailer, and consumer levels is required to eliminate labelling resulting in product
reformulation. Also there is a
need to stimulate greater
consumer demand
for products using

healthier oils, alongside incentivizing manufacturers,
wholesalers and retailers to offer new healthy products
at comparable costs. This requires coordinated policy
action from Public Health, Economic and Business
ministries”.

May be India needs to gather some learning lessons
from other countries where the industry is collaborating
with regulators to achieve regulatory environments
that are conducive for product reformulation, labelling
and marketing regulation, ensuring a range of healthy
options for consumers.

Dr Manbeena Chawla
(With inputs from Kalyani Sharma)
[email protected]

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in ANALYSIS 27

POSHAN MAAH: ADDRESSING
MALNUTRITION/UNDERNUTRITION

Over the years, India has shown exemplary performance in various aspects of food sector in terms of
variety of food, increased investments in food machineries and other infrastructure and better policies,
but we are still a country where 194.4 million people are undernourished. India is observing the month
of September as “Poshan Maah” (Nutrition Month) to sensitize the public towards healthy eating,
address the twin issues of malnutrition/undernutrition and problem of obesity in some sections of the
population, and intensifying the campaign towards a ‘Malnutrition-Free India’.

Over the years, India has shown exemplary pyramid and the vulnerable population, providing access
performance in various aspects of food sector in to affirmative actions, services and entitlements.”
terms of variety of food, increased investments
in food machineries and other infrastructure and better He further says “To prevent mortality among
policies, but we are still a country where 194.4 million malnourished children, equal emphasis should
people are undernourished which is 14.5 per cent of the be provided towards managing the severe acute
total population according to the malnourished with infections within the facilities i.e.
Food and Agriculture Organization
of the United Nations (FAO). Malnutrition Treatment Centers
/ Nutrition Rehabilitation
India ranks 103 out of 119 Centers by providing support
countries as per the Global to the caregivers and protocol-
Hunger Index 2018 on the basis driven care to the children. The
of three leading indicators that accountability of community
are prevalence of wasting and structures and service providers
stunting in children under five for early identification and
years, child mortality rate under management of malnutrition
five years and the proportion of within communities is vital for
undernourished in the population. addressing malnutrition. The
The report clearly states that India is suffering from 1000 day continuum of care
serious problem of hunger and malnutrition. Besides strengthening within the comprehensive primary health
the GHI 2018 report, a joint study by EY and ASSOCHAM care is critical to address the malnutrition challenge. We
found that close to 40 per cent of India’s children are also need to consider the nexus between nutrition and
undernourished. Although there has been a reduction gender discrimination. Malnourished girl children grow
in under-five mortality rate in the last decade, India up into malnourished adolescents who end up marrying
continues to house 50 per cent of the undernourished early and giving birth mostly to malnourished children,
children in the world. keeping the vicious cycle alive. Bringing gender equity
lens across our approaches to tackle malnutrition would
To tackle the problem of help us break the vicious cycle thereby creating a more
malnutrition, Rajesh Ranjan, COO, productive and healthy nation.”
WISH (Wadhwani Initiative of Sharing his views on the issue of
Sustainable Healthcare) says malnutrition Ajoy Khandheria,
“we need a strong political will Founder, Gramin Healthcare
that is already being exhibited, says “India is home to non-
cohered strategic partnerships nutritious, non-balanced food
with development partners either in the form of under
clubbed with sensitive bureaucratic nutrition, over nutrition or
support for creating converged interventions across micro-nutrient deficiencies. The
stakeholders and departments. We also need to ensure availability of nutritious food in
that the nutrition specific and nutrition sensitive markets plays an equally significant role in motivating
schemes or interventions benefit the bottom of the the community to make the right choices. The need of

28 ANALYSIS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

the hour is to encourage and provide a balanced and CURRENT STATUS OF
nutritious food for all of us, especially for women and the RASHTRIYA POSHAN MAAH
new-born because these two sections set the foundation
of our society. Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) is
India’s flagship programme, launched in March
Presenting his thoughts on 2018 to improve nutritional status of children
malnutrition, K R Raghunath, up to six years, adolescent girls, pregnant women
Chairman, Jindal Naturecure and lactating mothers to achieve specific targets
Institute says “India is home for reduction in low birth weight babies, stunting
to the largest number of growth, under nutrition and prevalence of anemia
malnutritioned children in the over next three years. Smriti Irani, Minister of Women
world, with 48 per cent of them & Child Development, twitted that Poshan Maah 2019
stunted, 43 per cent underweight will specially focus on spreading awareness and the
and 20 per cent wasted. The high importance of five components critical for a healthy life.
prevalence of malnutrition defies logic, considering
the fact that the world’s largest programme to tackle To ensure a holistic approach, all 36 states/UTs and
malnutrition has been in force since 1975. Since there is districts are being covered in a phased manner i.e.,
a shortage of pulse and oil production in our country, we 315 districts in 2017-18, 235 districts in 2018- 19 and
need to diversify the public distribution system to make the remaining districts in 2019-20. More than 10 crore
sure that millets are also available for subsidized prices people will be benefitted by this programme.
to provide better nutrition under the National Food
Security Act. We also need to safeguard and revive our Poshan Abhiyaan is not a programme but a
forests as sustainable food sources. Communities across Jan Andolan, and Bhagidaari, meaning “People’s
India have been growing more than 60 varieties of crops, Movement”. This programme incorporates inclusive
from millets, maize and sorghum to lentils, flaxseed and participation of public representatives of local
vegetables, through mixed cropping and intercropping bodies, government departments of the state, social
on hill slopes. We also need to improve access to public organizations and the public and private sector at
healthcare so that children suffering from various large.
illnesses due to malnutrition can get the treatment they
require on time.” Under Poshan Abhiyan states/UTs need to achieve
convergence through the close coordination between
In order to tackle the rising burden of malnutrition the department of women and child welfare; health
government of India launched Poshan Abhiyaan and family welfare; drinking water and sanitation; rural
(National Nutrition Mission) last year. The target of the development; panchayati raj; education; food and
mission is to bring down stunting among children in the other concerned departments.
age group of 0-6 years from 38.4 per cent to 25 per cent
by 2022. Under this mission, government also declared To give momentum to Poshan Abhiyan , ‘National
the month of September as ‘Rashtriya Poshan Maah’. Council on India’s Nutrition Challenges’ on July 24,
The entire month is divided into five components: Five 2018 decided to celebrate the month of September as
1000 days of the child, Anemia Mukt Bharat, Diarrhoea Rashtriya Poshan Maah. During this month activities
Prevention, WASH (Wash, Sanitation and Hygiene) and related to nutrition awareness will be carried out by all
Paushtik Aahaar. the states/UTs up to the grass root level.

Stressing on the need for right and healthy nutrition, The implementing departments /agencies like
Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health and Family women and child development department through
Welfare stated that the government is observing the anganwari workers, health and family welfare
entire month of September as “Poshan Maah” (Nutrition department through ASHA, ANM, primary health
Month) to sensitize the public towards healthy eating, centres, community health centres, school education
address the twin issues of malnutrition/undernutrition and literary department through schools, panchayati
and problem of obesity in some sections of the raj department through panchayat, and rural
population, and intensifying the campaign towards a development trough self-help groups will carry out the
‘Malnutrition-Free India’. activities and spread the message during the month.

The minister further said that unsafe food and poor Poshan Abhiyaan intends to increase nutrition
diet create a vicious cycle of disease and malnutrition, awareness among mothers of young children,
particularly affecting infants, young children, elderly and adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women, family
sick. “India is passing through an epidemiological shift members (husbands, father, mothers-in-law) and

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in ANALYSIS 29

community members, health care providers (ANM, ASHA, the first six months.
Anganwari worker) about key nutrition behaviours.  Every infant should be given complementary
Key nutrition behaviours include:
For Pregnant Women- foods on completing 6 months with breastfeeding
 Eat balanced diet containing variety of foods that is continues till 2 years and beyond
 Every child should be provided full immunization
rich in iron and vitamins. under Universal Immunisation Programme.
 Take milk and milk products, and iodised salt.  From 9 months onwards give your child vitamin
 Drink safe water. A supplementation and deworming syrup/tablet
 Get at least four antenatal checkups from nearest (from one year of age) twice a year.
 Regular monitoring of the growth of infants and
health facility. children with nutrition advice.
 IFA (Iron and folic acid) tablet and calcium  Every child who has diarrhoea is given sufficient
oral rehydration solution and zinc supplementation.
supplementation Adolescent girls
 Promote for institutional delivery at nearest health  Eat balanced diet containing variety of foods that is
rich in iron and vitamins
center/ hospital.  Take milk and milk product and iodised salt
 Awareness about personal hygiene and cleanliness.  Take IFA blue tablet every week.
 Washing hands before eating and after defecation.  Maintain personal hygiene and menstrual hygiene
Lactating mothers-  Take deworming tablet twice a year.
 Breastfeeding should be started within one hour of  Drink safe water
 Wash hands before eating and after defecation.
child birth. At community level
 Eat balanced diet containing variety of foods that is  Ensure safe drinking water in the community
 Every household safely disposes of child and animal
rich in iron and vitamins. faeces.
 Take milk and milk product and iodised salt.  Every member of all households use toilet at all
 Regular IFA tablets (till 6 months after delivery) and times.
 Promote girls’ education, diet and right marriage
calcium supplementation. age.
 Drink safe drinking water.  Cultivation of vegetables in the community for local
 Wash hands before eating and feeding child. use.
 Wash hands after defecation and handling child’s stool.
 Personal cleanliness and hygiene of herself and baby. Source: www.nhp.gov.in
Children
 Every newborn should be breastfed within one hour

of birth.
 Mothers should exclusively breastfeed their babies for

30 ANALYSIS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

NUTRITION PROJECTS THROUGH CSR FUNDING IN INDIA

Company CSR Initiative In Collaboration With
Nestle Healthy Kids Programme Magic Bus India Foundation
Nestle Project Jagriti Mamta Health Institute
Implemented by
Herbalife Nutrition Herbalife Nutrition Foundation Herbalife Nutrition Foundation
Implemented by Indiabulls Foundation
Indiabulls Ventures Limited Paushtik Aahar
ISKON Food Relief Foundation
Rashtriya Chemicals Mid-day Meal Programme
and Fertilizers Limited Aurobindo Pharma Foundation
Centralized Kitchen for Nutrition Direct Implementation
Aurobindo Pharma Limited Sundesh

Dabur India

from communicable to non-communicable diseases, reduce the prevalence of stunting by three percentage
and the burden of diet-related diseases such as diabetes, points by 2022, and achieve a one-third reduction
hypertension, and obesity is rising rapidly. I am happy in anemia in children, adolescents, and women of
to share with you that the Food Safety and Standards reproductive age. However, a recent study by the
Authority of India (FSSAI) has adopted a “food systems Harvard Center for Population and Development
approach” to ensure our citizens have access to safe studies found that the prevalence of child stunting,
and healthy food,” he elaborated. He further said that wasting, underweight and anemia was highly variable
this approach judiciously combines the regulatory across parliamentary constituencies, and the ones who
and capacity building measures with consumer showed a low prevalence for all the indicators should
empowerment initiatives. Citizens are being sensitized be investigated to elucidate the best practices for child
through a people’s movement called ‘Eat Right India’. nutrition. Although social inequality and lack of food
“It’s tagline, Sahi Bhojan. Behtar Jeevan’ – ‘Right diet availability are the main factors behind the high level of
leads to better quality life’ depicts India’s commitment malnutrition in India, lack of clean drinking water and
to preventive and promotive healthcare as an important sanitation also responsible for aggravating the situation.
pillar of our health policy,” he mentioned. Even the latest report by the National Nutritional
Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) found that malnutrition level
“Under the ‘Poshan Abhiyaan’ campaign, nutrition among children reduced over a period of time despite
made available with the help of modern scientific less food intake. We need improved access to healthcare
methods is being converted into a mass movement facilities, protected water supply and sanitation to
all over the country. To tackle these grave issue, improve our country’s nutritional status.”
we need to ensure that the nutrition specific and
nutrition sensitive schemes or interventions benefit Kalyani Sharma
the bottom of the pyramid are formed so that the [email protected]
vulnerable population can have access to affirmative
actions, services and entitlements. The community
structures and service providers should be accountable
enough for early identification and management of
malnutrition within communities is vital for addressing
malnutrition,” adds Ajoy.

Talking about the programme
Savitha Kuttan, CEO, Omnicuris,
a socio-medical enterprise
working with the state
governments for improving the
healthcare system said “The
Poshan Abhiyaan Programme
was launched by the Ministry of
Woman and Child Development to

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in SPEAKING WITH 31

“Easy accessibility and Inge Kauer,
affordability of fortified
Executive Director, Access
products should be to Nutrition Foundation,
the priority” the Netherlands

Access to Nutrition Foundation (ATNF) is an accessed the largest food & beverage industries in India
independent non-profit organization based both multinationals and national companies. We chose
in the Netherlands dedicated to objectively India because of the triple burden of malnutrition that
assessing and improving the contribution the private is happening here. In India it’s quite prevalent with high
sector makes to addressing global nutrition challenges. rates of stunting, wasting and micronutrient deficiencies
ATNF publishes Access to Nutrition Indexes (ATNI) that co-existing with diabetes, obesity and other diet related
access food and beverage industry globally to tackle diseases. We do not believe that the private sector is the
malnutrition. ATNI is incubated by Gain Global Alliance. magic bullet to the solution.
India was first country to have the index that they
developed in 2016. The Foundation will be launching In India nutrition transition is happening. There
its second index in the December. The initiative is is now a change in the diet of the consumer due to
supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation urbanization, economic growth and income growth. And
(BMGF) and the governments of the United Kingdom hence there is a need to better focus on production of
and the Netherlands. In the upcoming index, 16 largest healthier products as well as making them accessible
companies in India’s food and beverage sector are being and affordable to consumers.
assessed with the aim to encourage these companies
to improve their nutrition practices. The industry can do What is the duration of ATNI?
so by increasing consumer access to nutritious products Normally, we produce these indexes every two years.
and responsibly exercising their influence on consumer Sometimes it takes more than two years or less than
choice and behavior through actions in areas such as, three years to produce them but two years is the normal
fortifying foods with essential micronutrients to prevent cycle. We kept the two year cycle because for us these
undernutrition, marketing, labeling and promoting indexes are not only for publication but a roadmap
healthy diets and active lifestyles. In an interaction with for companies to make suitable changes. Based on
NuFFooDS Spectrum Inge Kauer, Executive Director, the scorecards and recommendations of the index,
Access to Nutrition Foundation talks about the key companies plan actions. One year time would be too
findings from the ATNI and the role of companies to short to implement the same and hence the two year
tackle malnutrition in India. cycle.

India was the first country to have the index that
ATNF developed in 2016. Can you elaborate on
that?
Our mission is to make sure that people around the
globe have access to healthy diet and accelerating those
in private sector in tackling malnutrition. In order to do
that, we have developed several accountability tools.
We have global index that access food and beverage
industry globally to tackle malnutrition. In 2016, we

32 SPEAKING WITH NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

IN THE 2016 INDEX WE SAW THAT ONLY 16 Please elaborate on the methodology of Access to
PER CENT OF THE PRODUCT SOLD BY THE Nutrition Indexes.
COMPANIES THAT WE ACCESSED ARE OF The areas where we measured companies include
HIGH NUTRITIONAL QUALITIES TO MEET various categories i.e. governance, products, accessibility,
THE HEALTHINESS STANDARDS WHICH WAS affordability, marketing, consumer lifestyle, stakeholder
THE MAJOR CONCERN. MY CALL TO THE engagement and labelling. This time we have added
COMPANIES IS TO INVEST MORE IN INNOVATION some indicators on the basis of the feedback from
AND DEVELOPING NEW CATEGORIES, the stakeholders. What is important now is nutrition
NEW PRODUCTS OF HIGH NUTRITIONAL literacy which has been raised as an important topic
STANDARD AS WELL AS REFORMULATING especially among low income and poor consumers as
EXISTING PRODUCTS BY LOWERING NEGATIVE they face difficulties in reading out the labels properly
INGREDIENTS LIKE SALT AND SUGAR AND and do not understand about what is needed in terms of
INCREASING POSITIVE INGREDIENTS LIKE good nutrition. We have added that as an action where
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND GRAINS. the companies are scored on. In 2016 we presented
ALSO, DOING FORTIFICATION WHERE the company score in two dimensions i.e. product
NEEDED AND ALIGNED WITH FRAMEWORKS profile where Mother Dairy scored the highest and
INTERNATIONALLY. also the Corporate Profile on policies, strategies and
commitments and disclosure where Nestle scored the
The 2nd Access to Nutrition Index is planned to highest. This time we will integrate the two dimensions
be launched this year. What will be the major into one ranking.
highlights of that?
In 2016, we accessed 10 companies and this time What are the challenges that need to be addressed
we have added six more companies based on the by companies?
stakeholder feedback. The 16 companies that will be In the 2016 index we saw that only 16 per cent of the
included in the Spotlight Index 2019 are AMUL- Gujarat product sold by the companies that we accessed are
Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd, Britannia of high nutritional qualities to meet the healthiness
Industries Limited, Coca- Cola India, Hindustan Unilever, standards which was the major concern. My call to
Mondelez India Foods Private Limited, Mother Dairy- the companies is to invest more in innovation and
Fruit & Vegetable Private Limited, Nestlé India Limited, developing new categories, new products of high
Parle Products Private Limited, Pepsico India, AAVIN- nutritional standard as well as reformulating existing
Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers Federation, products by lowering negative ingredients like salt and
Adani Wilmar, Emami Agrotech Ltd, Hatsun Agro Product sugar and increasing positive ingredients like fruits and
Limited, ITC Limited, Karnataka Cooperative Milk vegetables and grains. Also, doing fortification where
Producers Federation (Nandini), Marico Limited. All 16 of needed and aligned with frameworks internationally.
them are Indian companies. Easy accessibility and affordability of fortified products
to the consumers who need it should be the priority.
Most of the companies are actively engaged
and submitting data that we will be reporting in our Where do you see India from the global
publication but it’s good to see the active interest of perspective in nutrition?
not only the companies but also the societies and It’s a global challenge in terms of more investment
Government towards malnutrition. Food Safety and in healthier products and in India it is even bigger.
Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) since 2016 when Indian MNCs should provide the same healthy product
we first published the index has really made a lot of everywhere. Another area where we believe could be
steps towards frameworks on fortification, actions more progress is in-terms of publishing and disclosing
around labelling as well creating more awareness what’s happening. There are some good initiatives by the
among consumers with various movements. It is really company in this direction but no foremost strategies or
good to see the action in the force and we are hoping scaled programmes and lack of disclosure. Internationally,
to see the progress in our upcoming index in December it is already more common to have reports by companies
2019. on the progress they are making and transparency about
their targets. So, this is also one area where we believe
India could make more progress.

Kalyani Sharma
[email protected]

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in REGULATORY 33

Direct vs Online Selling

On October 26, 2016 the Government of India issued Gazette notification related to Direct Selling
Guidelines. So far 13 states have approved the Direct Selling Guidelines. Contrary to these guidelines
various e-commerce platforms are selling the products of the companies without their consent, which
was in violation of the Guidelines. Hence in an interim order of injunction Delhi High Court has directed
the e-commerce platforms to restrain from advertising, displaying, offering for sale products without the
consent of the direct selling companies.

This September 9, we have completed three years to direct selling. With this the direct selling industry has
of announcement of model guidelines on direct made a good beginning. But it is a long way to go as 16
selling by Ministry of Consumer Affairs. The same more states and seven union territories need to approve
was notified on October 26, 2016 as Government of India the guidelines.
Gazette Guidelines. On September 12, 2016 Ram Vilas
Paswan, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public All the direct selling companies such as Amway, Modi
Distribution informed that the model guidelines on direct Care, Oriflame, 4Life, Herbalife, ZillonLife are following
selling had been formulated and sent to state governments. the Direct Selling Guidelines issued by the Government
The minister noted that the state governments/Union of India titled – Direct Selling Guidelines, 2016. As per the
Territories may kindly take necessary action to implement Guidelines, it is mandatory for the direct selling entity to
the same. It is envisaged in the guidelines that the state provide a full refund or buyback guarantee on reasonable
governments will set up a mechanism to monitor/ commercial terms, to its direct seller within 30 days. Direct
supervise the activities of direct sellers, direct selling selling entities, have to be the owners of the trademark or
entity regarding compliance of the guidelines for direct a service mark and their members are bound to strictly
selling. Any direct selling entity conducting direct selling comply with the guidelines. The direct selling entity is
activities shall submit an undertaking to the Department expected to also enter into a specific agreement with
of Consumer Affairs within 90 days, stating that it is in the direct sellers, before enrolling them as part of the
compliance with these guidelines and shall also provide distribution network. Specific provisions are contained
details of its incorporation. Till now over 20 direct selling in the guidelines for the conduct of the said business in
companies have submitted an undertaking to the consumer interest. One of the clauses of the guidelines
Department of Consumer Affairs stating that they will i.e., clause 7(6) requires that the sale of the products of
follow these guidelines. the direct selling entity on any e-commerce platform
or marketplace would have to be done by – any person
Following Department of Consumer Affairs’directions, only with prior consent of the direct selling entity. Thus,
many state governments have already approved and any sale of its products except in compliance with the
implemented State Direct Selling Guidelines. Latest to guidelines would be contrary to law.
include was Himachal Pradesh government to regulate
the business of direct selling and multi-level marketing Contrary to this guideline, Amway, Modi Care, Oriflame
and strengthening the existing regulatory mechanism found out that their branded products are advertised,
on direct selling and multi-level marketing for preventing offered for sale and sold on various e-commerce platforms
fraud and protecting the legitimate rights and interests without their consent. This, according to the companies,
of the consumers. The state Cabinet decided to approve was in violation of the guidelines. Their products were
Himachal Pradesh State Direct Selling Guidelines, 2019 on being sold at much cheaper prices than the market
July 16, 2019. Till now 13 states have issued notifications price, which according to the companies resulted in
related to Direct Selling Guidelines. During 2019 we have huge financial losses for them. Considering the manner,
two states Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra having in which the products were being sold at such cheap
approved the guidelines. In 2018 seven states namely prices, the direct selling companies called upon all the
Goa, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Mizoram, Kerala e-commerce websites to remove any reference to their
and Odisha have approved the guidelines. In 2017 we saw products on their websites including advertising their
four states namely Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Sikkim and products and cease and desist from displaying any of their
Chhattisgarh have implemented the guidelines related products on the portals. The said notice was also marked
to various governmental authorities and Federation of

34 REGULATORY NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

STATES HAVING such low prices also raises apprehension that counterfeit
DIRECT SELLING GUIDELINES products may be sold by unscrupulous traders on
e-commerce websites, which would be contrary to the
 24-July-2019 The Himachal Pradesh State public and consumer interest. It is thus pleaded that the
Direct Selling Guidelines sellers and the platforms are taking unfair advantage of
the popular brands like Amway, Modi Care and Oriflme.
 11-July-2019 The Maharashtra State Direct So these companies filed suites with Delhi High Court
Selling Guidelines against e-commerce platforms. Three direct selling
companies filed cases over 26 companies in span of two
 06-Dec-2018 The Goa State Direct Selling years between 2018 and 1019.
Guidelines
In all a batch of seven suits against 26 companies
 31-Oct-2018 The Tamil Nadu State Direct raising overlapping issues were heard together by
Selling Guidelines Delhi High Court. The same have been filed by three
plaintiffs namely., Amway India Enterprises Pvt. Ltd.
 07-Aug-2018 The Rajasthan State Direct (Amway), Modicare Ltd. (Modicare) and Oriflame India
Selling Guidelines Pvt. Ltd. (Oriflame) against various entities - defendants
like 1MG Technologies Pvt. Ltd. – which runs the
 06-Jul-2018 The West Bengal State Direct e-commerce website, www.1mg.com, Ghantakarn
Selling Guidelines International, Adinath Enterprises, Beant Healthcare,
Beant Buildwell (P.) Ltd., Vivid Solutions, Ravinder & Co.,
 20-June-2018 The Mizoram State Direct Selling Raman Enterprises, Xecute India, Aarjav International,
Guidelines Jasper Infotech Pvt. Ltd. – which runs the e-commerce
website www.snapdeal.com, Pioneering Products, Black
 04-Jun-2018 The Kerala State Direct Selling Olive Enterprises, Cloudtail India Pvt. Ltd., Amazon Seller
Guidelines Services Pvt. Ltd. – which runs the e-commerce platform
www.amazon.in, Flipkart Internet Pvt. Ltd. – which runs
 08-Feb-2018 The Odisha State Direct Selling the e-commerce platform, www.flipkart.com, Sehgal
Guidelines International, Apex Beauty Store, Bright Lifecare Pvt.
Ltd., Kashvi Enterprises, Laxmi Enterprises, Modicare DP
 08-Dec-2017 The Andhra Pradesh State Direct Store, Dinender Jain, Cloudtail India Pvt. Ltd., Vardhman
Selling Guidelines 2017 Training Company, Kusum Enterprises and Wholesale
Hub which are either running e-commerce platforms or
 01-Dec-2017 The Telangana State Direct are sellers on the said platforms.
Selling Guidelines 2017
The direct selling companies have raised the following
 24-Oct-2017 The Sikkim State Direct Selling questions before the Delhi High Court (i) - Whether the
Guidelines 2017 Direct Selling Guidelines, 2016 are valid and binding on
the defendants and if so, to what extent? (ii) - Whether the
 10-Oct-2017 The Chhattisgarh State Direct sale of the plaintiffs’ products on e-commerce platforms
Selling Guidelines 2017 violates the plaintiffs’ trademark rights or constitutes
misrepresentation, passing off and results in dilution and
 26-Oct-2016 The Govt. of India Gazette tarnishes the goodwill and reputation of the plaintiffs’
Guidelines brand? (iii)- Whether the e-commerce platforms are
“intermediaries” and are entitled to the protection of the
 09-Sep-2016 Model Guidelines on Direct safe harbour provision under Section 79 of the Information
Selling Technology Act and the Intermediary Guidelines of 2011?
(iv) – Whether e-commerce platforms such as Amazon,
 09-Sep-2016 Direct Selling Proforma Snapdeal, Flipkart, 1MG, and Healthkart are guilty of
 10-Feb-2015 FDSA Guidelines tortious interference with the contractual relationship of
the plaintiffs with their distributors/direct sellers?
Source: Federation Of Direct Selling Association
Ruling in favour
Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
However the e-commerce entities refused to comply with After hearing from both sides the Delhi High Court
the requisitions of the companies. in interim order on July 8, 2019 stated that the sellers

The direct selling companies approached the Food
Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the nodal
food regulatory agency in the country, on April 9, 2018,
which issued a letter to all major e-commerce entities
operating in India, namely Flipkart, Amazon, Snapdeal,
and Shopclues, asking them to stop sale of direct selling
products, without consent of the direct selling entities and
in contravention of the guidelines. However, the said letter
was neither challenged nor complied with. Since there was
no effective redressal of their disputes the direct selling
companies have filed suits with Delhi High Court.

The manner in which the products are being sold at

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in REGULATORY 35

CASES RELATED BETWEEN DIRECT SELLER & E-COMMERCE PALTFORMS

CS(OS) 410/2018 and I.A. No.11335/2018

PLAINTIFF DEFENDANTS

Amway India Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. D1 1MG Technologies Pvt. Ltd. – which runs the e-commerce website, www.1mg.com
Ghantakarn International
D2
Adinath Enterprises
CS(OS) 453/2018 and I.A.s 12419/18 and 14613/18 Beant Healthcare
Beant Buildwell (P.) Ltd.
PLAINTIFF DEFENDANTS Vivid Solutions
Ravinder & Co.
Amway India Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. D1 Raman Enterprises
Xecute India
D2 Aarjav International
Jasper Infotech Pvt. Ltd. – which runs the e-commerce website www.snapdeal.com
D3
Pioneering Products
D4 Black Olive Enterprises
Cloudtail India Pvt. Ltd.
D5 Amazon Seller Services Pvt. Ltd. – which runs the e-commerce platform www.amazon.in

D6 Flipkart Internet Pvt. Ltd. – which runs the e-commerce platform, www.flipkart.com
Sehgal International
D7 Apex Beauty Store

D8 Bright Lifecare Pvt. Ltd.
Kashvi Enterprises
D9
Amazon Seller Services Pvt. Ltd. – which runs the e-commerce platform www.amazon.in
CS(OS) 480/2018 and I.A.13159/2018 Laxmi Enterprises

PLAINTIFF DEFENDANTS Dinender Jain

Amway India Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. D1 Vardhman Training Company
Kusum Enterprises
D2 Wholesale Hub

D3

D4

CS(OS) 531/2018 and I.A. 14402/2018

PLAINTIFF DEFENDANTS

Amway India Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. D1

D2

D3

CS(OS) 550/2018 and I.A. 14858/2018

PLAINTIFF DEFENDANTS

Amway India Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. D1

D2

CS(OS) 75/2019 and I.A.1733/2019

PLAINTIFF DEFENDANTS

Modicare Ltd. D1

D2

D3 Modicare DP Store

CS(OS) 91/2019 and I.A.2238/2019

PLAINTIFF DEFENDANTS

Oriflame India Pvt. Ltd. D1

D2 Cloudtail India Pvt. Ltd.

D3

D4

D5

D6 Amazon Seller Services Pvt. Ltd. –
which runs the e-commerce platform www.amazon.in

Source : High Court of Delhi

are restrained by, an interim order of injunction, from have displayed its products on their platform or mobile
advertising, displaying, offering for sale products of the application without its consent, then it shall give notice to
plaintiff, on the e-commerce platform or on the mobile e-commerce platform for taking down the listings of such
application or any other e-commerce platform or online sellers, which shall be duly taken down within a period of
mobile applications, without the consent of the plaintiff. 36 hours, by that platform.
The High Court has also ordered that the defendant is
restrained from displaying, advertising, offering for sale, Reacting to the developments Indian Direct Selling
selling, facilitating repackaging of any of the plaintiff’ Association (IDSA) observed that the High Court’
products on its website and mobile application, except of judgement is expected to provide a level-playing field
those sellers who produce written permission/consent of to direct sellers. It also clarifies that neither e-commerce
the plaintiff for listing of its products on their platform/ platforms nor sellers can claim rights on products.
mobile application.
However Amazon Seller Services has challenged
In case of the sellers, if any, who produce consent this Delhi High Court judgement in Supreme Court that
given by the plaintiff, allowing sale of its products through prevents it from selling products from direct selling
e-commerce platforms, the High Court noted that the companies without their authorisation. The Supreme
defendant shall, clearly, provide the name, address and Court, on September 11, directed both the parties to
contact details of the said sellers including the telephone approach the Delhi High Court if they wished to challenge
numbers, email address, etc., in a prominent manner, the High Court’s July 2019 order. It also asked them to seek
along with the product description. If the plaintiff finds a hearing from the Delhi High Court before October.
during the pendency of the suit that any of the sellers
Narayan Kulkarni
[email protected]

36 SPEAKING WITH NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Mathew Chacko “We need more
manufacturing startups
Managing Director, as manufacturing is the
Athletebit Healthcare, heart of the economy”
Mysuru

Athletebit Healthcare, established in Central sodium magnesium electrolytes and carbohydrates.
Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) Black Grape powder is a natural source for protein,
in Mysuru under the Food Business Accelerator antioxidants, and carbohydrates. Glycine is an amino
Programme, has launched a natural sports hydration acid that promotes greater glucose uptake and
drink. For Mathew Chacko, Managing Director, increases Creatine production in the body. Fructose
Athletebit Healthcare, the idea to develop a sports provides slow-releasing carbohydrates that provide a
hydration drink came because of his own need to sustained energy release after the body has finished
find a natural ingredient-based alternative for his utilizing the glucose. This helps in preventing sugar
running. With the only choices available being the crashes. Stevia is a zero-calorie natural sweetener.
colored sugar drinks in the supermarket, Chacko
initiated his own company in 2017 in order to bring a What is the scientific basis behind developing
natural, nourishing refreshment for all sportspeople. this product?
Following the product launch, NuFFooDS Spectrum Our major goal is to give higher performance benefits
spoke with Mathew Chacko to get to know more to athletes from products developed from natural
about his startup and his future plans. ingredients. SOAR does not contain any chemically
Edited Excerpts; added electrolyte profile. It is optimally formulated
to provide a carbohydrate (Fructose: Glucose) ratio of
How many products have been developed by 2:1. The glucose and fructose are absorbed through
the startup? their respective transporters. This ensures quick as
We have developed 4 products, marketed under the well as sustained energy release that helps athletes
Brand name UPPERCLIMB. Our Intra Workout product maintain performance during a longer duration of
or as we call In-Game Ignition product is SOAR that time. L-Glycine increases glucose uptake and helps
has been launched recently. The other products increase creatine production in the body. Protein
are ASCEND - a non-caffeine, natural ingredients from Grape seeds contains L-Arginine that improves
based PreWorkout product; FORGE- a Whey Isolate vasodilation of blood vessels.
based post-workout category product and GRIT- an
Endurance category that is developed from a novel How long did it take to develop this product?
sugar. GRIT will be the first product in the country that It took over a year to develop the product. The various
contains this novel sugar. All three products will be stages include formula conceptualization, sensory
launched soon. With these four products in line, we evaluation, proximate analysis, microbiological
expect to hit a revenue target of Rs 45 lakh. evaluation, accelerated shelf-life studies and Dope
testing that was done at LGC, Ltd, London, UK.
What are the key ingredients of your new sports
hydration drink? What are the key advantages of the product?
SOAR’s major ingredients are: Tender Coconut Water SOAR helps in the following ways (a) improved
Powder to provide the natural source of potassium, carbohydrate utilization due to dual carbohydrates
(b) Natural electrolytes maintain cellular environment.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in SPEAKING WITH 37

Presence of Potassium, Magnesium, and Calcium it comes to taking supplements, most athletes rely
reduces muscle fatigue. (c) Natural antioxidants on coach’s advice, but coaches themselves are not
help scavenge free radicals. SOAR is dope tested at nutrition experts and most are not aware of World
LGC, London UK and does not contain any banned Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines and what
substances. Now, athletes have a great choice of a is permitted under “therapeutic use”. As per our
dope free natural ingredient product in SOAR. knowledge, dope testing is carried out at the national
level, but there is no check and balances at the State
Is the product available in the market? What level meets. Sports Federations must tackle this with
is the cost? Are there similar products already utmost seriousness and must ensure Indian sport is
available in the market? clean.
SOAR is currently available for purchase on our
website. It will be available for purchase on Amazon Even though Food Safety and Standards Authority
soon. The product is available in 250g for Rs 449. We of India (FSSAI) has categorized Sports Supplements
do not think there is any product that has the same under Health Supplements, we believe that Sports
ingredient structure like us in the current Indian Supplements should have its own category, for
market. example, Calcium tablets is a health/dietary
supplement, but a sports gel is truly not a Health
Are there specific sports activities to which this Supplement. We believe this is an area that FSSAI
product will be more suitable, or is it developed can truly address as it helps in standardization of
with a general-purpose? products.
SOAR is majorly tailored towards aerobic sports like
running, swimming, cycling, badminton, tennis, etc. Do you think Indian consumers are well aware
However, all athletes whether in aerobic or anaerobic of the concept of sports nutrition?
sports can have SOAR to restore energy levels and Compared to the World Sports Nutrition market
electrolytes that happen during training. that stands at $28 billion, the Indian market is a
small yet growing market. With higher disposable
How do you plan to promote the product? incomes, rising healthcare costs, most Indians
Our current plan is to do event sponsorships and are turning towards preventative healthcare and
tie-up with teams in various sporting disciplines to pursuing an athletic activity. The growth of gyms and
promote our products. We believe that such a strategy sporting clubs bears testimony to this fact. The most
can increase product awareness and can lead to interesting aspect is the greater adoption of natural
greater adoption of our products. ingredient-based food products among Indians. The
drop-in sales of cola products across the country is a
Are you working on developing more products? testament to this fact. The awareness level is high in
Our current goals are to ensure that our three other urban areas than in rural areas. Most urban Indians
products ASCEND, FORGE and GRIT hit the market realize that for improving performance supplements
shelves soon. We are working towards developing are needed that cannot be achieved through normal
natural ingredients-based bars and gels. We also have food diet. The support of the Indian government has
plans on developing nutritious food solutions for “On been crucial too. The government has increased the
the Go” individuals. supplement purchasing fees for individual athletes
training under its programmes. These are good signs
How do you foresee the growth of the sports and will help the sports nutrition industry in India.
nutrition market in India? Are there any
concerns you would like to raise? What are your future plans?
The sports nutrition market is a nascent but growing From India to the World - we need more
market in India. As per Vibrant Gujarat summit 2017 manufacturing startups as manufacturing is the heart
report, the total sports nutrition market is $463 of the economy. We dream of becoming a world class
million with the sub-category of sports drinks at Indian manufacturer. We are currently incubated
$143 million, the CAGR exceeding 10 per cent. Some within CFTRI, Mysuru and use CFTRI’s facilities for
major concerns are the high prevalence of spurious manufacturing. We hope to have our own facility
supplement products and no major facility in India for manufacturing our products. It would be a huge
that can check for dope testing. milestone in the company’s history.

Doping by athletes is a major issue in India. When Dr Manbeena Chawla
[email protected]

38 SPEAKING WITH NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Aakash Vaghela “Alkaline
water is safe as
Co-founder and regular water”
Managing Director,
AV Organics, Vadodara

Founded in 2018 in Vadodara, Gujarat, AV Organics What are the ingredients present in Evocus?
has launched India’s first bottled black alkaline Evocus was developed with a view of combining the
water. Evocus is a 100 per cent natural, black alkaline benefits of both alkaline water and mineral water. Normal
water with more than 70 nutrients and high pH value. alkaline water with minerals do not have properly
The company is selling 500 ml bottle at cost of Rs 100. balanced or full range of minerals and have short shelf
Intrigued by this new product, NuFFooDS Spectrum life. Besides such mineral water are not always enriched
reached out to Aakash Vaghela, Co-founder and Managing with alkaline. Evocus is a revolutionary, new-age, 100
Director, AV Organics to find out more. Edited Excerpts; per cent natural alkaline bottled water. It is infused with
70+ natural trace minerals with high pH level. The water
What led AV Organics to develop Evocus? Is there a is dark black in colour due to composition of these 100
scientific rationale behind it? per cent natural trace minerals. As a result, the product
The idea behind launching Evocus is the evolving controls and regulates acidity in the body and balances
lifestyle of consumers. Going by industry reports, the body pH level; provides superior hydration and keeps
there’s greater public awareness about health, well- you hydrated for a longer period of time; gives you better
being and proper nutrition among the present-day detoxification by flushing out the toxins in the body
consumers compared to a decade ago. People are now regularly; speeds up transportation and absorption of
more conscious about the importance of being well- nutrients within the body, improves digestion, stimulates
hydrated; about how proper intake of water detoxifies metabolism; has absolutely zero additives, preservatives,
and flushes our system, while improving bone and artificial ingredients, chemicals, colours, yet tastes just like
muscle health as well as burning fat, amongst other normal water and has no smell; has zero sugar, zero carbs,
benefits. Moreover, people are careful about limiting zero caffeine, zero fat & it is gluten free; and is diabetics
their intake of sugar, carbonated drinks, caffeine, friendly.
additives, etc. Health-conscious Indian consumers are
constantly seeking healthier options in the foods and What are the key advantages of consuming
beverages they consume. And a vast proportion of these alkaline water?
health-conscious consumers include millennials and Alkaline water is created either by ionization or by
Gen Z. Considering this scenario, it was clear, consumers addition of alkaline minerals. Alkaline water has a pH
need a healthier alternative to the regular bottled between 7.5 and 9.5. There are two kinds of alkaline
water, presently being sold in the country. But this has water-
to be specially-packaged water that meets people’s
daily nutrition needs while simultaneously improving I. IONIZED Alkaline Water has higher pH by virtue of
hydration and balancing the body’s overall mineral its Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP).The negative
levels. Evocus is developed by making use of naturally ORP is directly related to pH. Therefore, ionized alkaline
occurring black, 70+ minerals, which inevitably provide water has a very short shelf life in terms of days.
natural and longer lasting alkalinity to Evocus with their
presence. The product has a shelf life of up to 12 months. II. Mineralized Alkaline water has higher pH by virtue
of presence of alkaline minerals and have a longer
shelf life. However, they don't have full range of desired
Minerals. Some of the key benefits of Alkaline water

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in SPEAKING WITH 39

are- it neutralizes acidic pH of body; deactivates PEPSIN How much revenue do you plan to build up with
the main enzyme that causes increased stomach acidity, Evocus?
which in turn is responsible for acid Re-Flux; reduces Our focus and target in the first year is only setting up
the post workout viscosity of whole blood more than the distribution network and product placement at the
normal water thereby improving the blood circulation; most ideal outlets. Our target is to spread maximum
may have benefits for people with high blood pressure, awareness about Evocus and its benefits. Nonetheless,
Diabetes and high cholesterol. Other benefits include, we expect to sell 3-5 million bottles in the first 3 years.
colon cleansing, enhancing skin health and prevents skin
ageing. What is the current status of the alkaline water
market in India?
Are there any guidelines or understanding about There is negligible presence of any alkaline water in
the consumption of alkaline water? India. This could be because other alkaline waters lose
Presently there are no guidelines being put forward by their alkalinity with a few days, and become pH neutral
authorities for consumption of alkaline water, as it is as – unlike Evocus, which retains its alkalinity for very long
safe as regular water. periods of time.

Has the product been medically verified and Are there similar products available in the market,
tested before its launch? as your competitors?
We have performed all the required tests to ensure the There are various functional water brands available in
verification of the product’s safety. Furthermore, we the market. However, Evocus is completely unique, and
have also initiated an in-depth safety study specifically one of a kind. We have our own unique formulations and
focused on Indians, the result of which will be available process to create Evocus. Currently, the segment that we
soon. are focusing on and the technology in drinking water
segment, which is alkaline based, is new to the Indian
Where is the R&D and manufacturing of Evocus market. We see room for newer players to grow together.
done? How much has been invested in the Hence, we don’t see any one as competition.
development of this product?
The R&D of the product has been done in two parts. Are you planning to develop more products? What
are your future plans?
a) The Organic mineral concentrate has been Our R&D team is working towards developing new
developed in Texas, USA .The minerals are extracted from products under the beverage category as well as other
deep down the Earth's crust and then they are purified FMCG categories. Our focus at the moment is to offer
by a unique method and process in the USA premium and best-in-class products to our consumers.
Based on the demand, we will explore new avenues for
b) The resulting mineral compound concentrate expansion.
is then imported and transported to our Vadodara
plant. Thereafter, via our own unique formulation, the Dr Manbeena Chawla
minerals are infused in fully-purified water, wholly [email protected]
enriching it, ensuring proper pH, highest quality
and standards of mineral composition and no-taste
attribute, using the minerals extracted from the crust of
the earth

Since Evocus is a world-class alkaline water, our
facility falls in the same league. The complete process
is performed under a HVAC cleanroom environment,
hosting state-of-the-art machinery. Stringent standards
and rigorous quality-control measures drive optimum
quality, food safety and sterility. In ensuring quality is
not compromised, the Company has built a top-notch
R&D unit on the premises. We have invested about $1
million, which includes cutting edge product research
and setting up of a fully automated manufacturing cum
bottling plant, which is spread across 50,000 square feet.
The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is situated in
Vadodara, Gujarat.

40 S2B NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Leveraging
Customer Insights

Dr R.B.Smarta, Nutraceuticals companies must reach out the customer with arm’s
length channels. Such channels need to be created at least in India
Interlink (CMD) and as there is paucity. As on today mostly Pharma and Consumer
HADSA (Hon. Secretary) health product channels are being used for ensuring availability
of nutraceutical products. Beyond this e-commerce is playing an
important role to reach out customers even for international products.

The awareness about the benefits of Fig 1.1 Consumer Insights Metric Source: Interlink Knowledge Cell
nutraceuticals is growing fast. Most Pharma
companies are diversifying from chemical- A. Outer Circle:
based medicines into natural medicines, plant-based 1. National & International Consumers:
nutraceutical and wellness products. Today, major Understating met and unmet needs of consumer will
Indian pharma companies have a nutraceutical be the first step towards the growth and success in
or wellness division that provides supplements, this market. Health burden of the country as well as
ayurvedic & herbal products, fortified foods & the government initiatives and interventions will be
beverages, functional foods, probiotic foods, energy helpful to decide the target group and place the product
drinks, etc. accordingly.
2. Economic Condition of the Country: After
In addition to pharma companies, pure play understating the consumer need it is also important to
domestic and international nutraceutical companies consider the economic status of the country. This will
would also like to participate in this market with their give us an idea about the how much is the Purchasing
unique plant-based products. Power of Consumer. This parameter will carve out the
pricing of the product and hence will be directly related
Research has shown that nutraceuticals are good to the revenue generated.
for prevention of diseases, post-disease recovery, 3. Social & Cultural Mileu: Every geographic region
curbing deficiencies, supplementing nutrients has its specific culture and varied demographics. If we
and minerals, and better management of lifestyle take example of Muslim countries then Halal certificate
diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular is required for manufacturing. Hence as per Individual
diseases. Culture there are different rules for what is allowed to eat
or consume.
Even the science in this field is advanced, if we 4. Demographics & Psychographics of Consumers:
look at the business model then there is no person Age and occupation of the consumer segments need to
like a medical professional to take decision on behalf be matching with the therapy trends. The requirement
of a consumer. Each person has the liberty to choose of nutrients differs throughout the different life stages.
what he or she wants. The product specialized for infants or toddlers may have

Consumer Insights Metric:
To thrive and grow in this market one should adapt
the outside-in approach. This outside- in matrix has
two parameters, namely, external and internal.

Understanding Metric:
Once we understand the external parameters like
National & International Consumers, Demographics
& Psychographics of Consumers, Economic condition
of country and Social & Cultural Mileu then it will be
much easier to place the product and gain the critical
mass.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in S2B 41

ingredients related to bone health as well as cognition, subscription fee. Source: Interlink Knowledge Cell
whereas product made for juveniles may have specific 3. Conversational model: A customer will be able to
ingredients support growth of reproductive organs. Also
depending on the occupation, whether it is sedentary or converse with nutritionist/dietician through an app by
more or labor will define the formulation of products. paying a monthly amount.

B. Inner Circle: 4. Instant visit model: You could visit a nutritionist
After charting out these external factors one may without waiting by paying a monthly subscription fee.

think about the inner circle of internal factors. B. Marketing Models:
1. Value Creation: Value creation is the foundation 1. Multi-level marketing: The traditional Amway
method is here to stay
of any business. It should be the primary aim to 2. Online marketing: Leverage of the good old
create value for customers helps sell the product. In online marketing through e-mail, social media, display
nutraceuticals, value creation will be through the health advertising and search engine optimization.
claims, evidences providing safety, efficacy and quality. 3. Virtual Reality (VR) & Augmented Reality (AI):
There will be an opportunity for brand owners to be
2. Communication: Marketing communication closer to consumers through VR headsets and make it a
should be articulated in a manner that the language more engaging, interactive and personal experience. AR
should be sensitivity to persuade. Marketing can help with blending of virtual objects such as brand
communication includes Advertising, Sales Promotion, image into something full of movement and wonder.
Events and Experiences (sponsorship), Public Relations 4. Phygital Marketing: In phygital, or physical +
and Publicity, Direct Marketing, Interactive Marketing, digital, a brand interacts with a customer in a physical
Word-of-Mouth Marketing, Personal Selling. These tools location. Digital enhances the physical experience.
of communication are collectively called as Marketing
Communication Mix. Fig 1.2 Marketing Models

3. Cost: Cost & quality must create value to the 5. Referral & influencer marketing: A lot of
product mix. External parameters like purchasing power nutraceutical companies will use influencers to promote
of the target customer, government initiatives towards products on social media.
healthcare, etc. are the influencers.
6. FMCG like marketing model: There will be
4. Channels: Nutraceuticals must reach out the promotions using coupons, contests, gifts.
customer with arm’s length channels. Such channels
need to be created at least in India as there is paucity. As 7. Public relations (PR) & user generated content
on today mostly Pharma and Consumer health product (UGC) marketing: Analysts predict good growth through
channels are being used for ensuring availability of PR and user generated content such as comments,
nutraceutical products. reviews and images on social media. According to the
Nielsen Consumer Trust Index, 92 per cent consumers
Beyond this e-commerce is playing an important role trust UGC more than advertising as the former is not paid.
to reach out customers even for international products.
In order to leverage customer insights it is important
Other Business and Marketing Models: to take an outside-in approach. While taking this
A. New Business Models in Digital Era: There will approach how important it is to look at internal aspects
of consumer (national & international) and how
be a splash of online business models. We anticipate important it is to work internally to create value till it
successful tie-ups between nutraceutical companies reaches customer through different channels.
and established teams of nutritionists and dieticians for
guiding consumers on the nutraceutical intake. We will Matching with existing time even the business and
also see start-ups becoming active with their apps and marketing models need a kind of reorientation which
gadgets. Subscription-based models are expected to meet each manufacturer and marketeer must adapt while
success and there will be specific packages for specific creating a value from nutraceuticals products.
illnesses/conditions. Some of the models are as follows.

1. Wellness clinic model: Here, at a fixed rate of,
say, Rs 3,000, a person will be able to take a package of
benefits that includes nutritionist visits, health check-
ups, diagnostic tests, disease management awareness
programmes, etc.

2. Push model: The customer will be able to visit
a nutritionist/dietician for six months by paying a

42 PEOPLE NEWS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

FANS elects Talent and Culture
NIN Director
as member Head at Swiggy quits

The director of Hyderabad-based National Senior HR Industry leader Madhav Vamsi has stepped
Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Dr R Hemalatha, has down from his role at Swiggy. The former Talent and
been elected to the executive committee of Culture Head of Swiggy is all set to join smart farming
Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies (FANS) for start-up Aibono which was founded in 2013. In his
new role as Head of People and Community, he would
a four-year term from be building human capital and nurture organization
2019 to 2023. In her towards that collective faith to rally behind the
new role, Dr Hemaltha common purpose. He joined Swiggy in April 2018, and
along with the newly he was responsible for Learning and Organisational
elected office bearers Development charter alongside evangelizing
will encourage technology for the overall HR function. He created
the exchange of broader programmes and platforms to encourage
information and employee engagement. Prior to joining to Flipkart, he
experiences in worked with companies such as TCS and Microsoft.
nutrition research,
training and action
programmmes
among the countries
associated with the FANS. The election was held
at the recently concluded 13th Asian Congress
of Nutrition in Bali, Indonesia. The FANS is
an international body that brings together
professional nutrition societies and associations
from across Asia which aims to foster international
fellowship among nutrition scientists of the
region and promote nutrition research, training
and action programmes in the region.

PepsiCo HR Head Suchitra Rajendra steps down

After working with PepsiCo her scope of responsibilities
for more than thirteen years, widened as she was named VP
Suchitra Rajendra, CHRO and VP Human Resources India region
Human Resources India Region of in 2015. A post graduate from
PepsiCo will be joining COLT Tech XLRI Jamshedpur, Suchitra
as Country Head, India and HR has experience in strategic
Head, Global Operations (Europe HR, organization design, C&B,
and Asia). Suchitra joined PepsiCo capability building, M&A, job
in 2006 as Org Capability, BU HR evaluations, policy formulation,
and Employee Communications HR operations, talent acquisition,
and in 2009 was appointed as culture change and internal
Director Talent sustainability, communications. She has worked
PepsiCo India. In less than 4 in different industry sectors
years, she was promoted to including telecom, service
the position of Senior Director consulting and FMCG and in
Human Resources, PepsiCo various geographies, including
APAC. Soon within 2 years, India, APAC and Australia.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in PEOPLE NEWS 43

Bira 91 appoints Deepak Malhotra as Sales SVP

Beer brand Bira 91 has announced the mass portfolio of the company COO for a diversified Indian business
the appointment of Deepak Malhotra nationally. Prior to that, he was the in the alcobev space – a $250 million
as the Senior Vice President, Sales, spirits player based out of Tamil
India, to its executive leadership Nadu. He spent five years at Beam
team. Malhotra brings with him Global (Teachers, Jim Beam etc.)
significant scale-up experience in as the Sales Head for India and the
the alcobev industry. With over sub-continent growing the brand
of 22 years of experience in the from a niche player to a market
world of beverages, Malhotra has leader in its segment. Prior to Beam,
successfully held multiple sales and Deepak spent 7 years at SAB Miller
marketing positions with a proven in various sales and marketing roles,
track record in growing businesses eventually leading the largest region
profitably, turning around markets for the company (North & East) and
and delivering targets. Malhotra was delivering 3x growth during his stint.
most recently Director of Sales at AB He has also spent time at Coca Cola
Inbev. He was responsible for driving in the early stages of his career.

Nigyar M becomes Impossible Foods
picks Ravi Thakkar for
Executive VP at Danone product management

Danone has announced the appointment of Nigyar Ravi Thakkar has been named to the new position
Makhmudova as Executive Vice President, Growth of vice-president of product management at
& Innovation. In this role, she will be responsible for the US based Impossible Foods. In this role, he
overseeing the company’s global Marketing, Innovation, will build and lead a team of product managers.
R&D, Digital and Sales Thakkar joins Impossible Foods from Apple, where
functions. Reporting he was iPhone product manager in the company’s
directly to Emmanuel worldwide product marketing division for more
Faber, Chairman and than five years. Before Apple, he spent 10 years
Chief Executive Officer, in various product leadership roles at Motorola
she will be a member Mobility, a mobile devices company acquired by
of Danone’s Executive Google. The appointment of Thakkar is the third
Committee. Born in addition to the leadership team for Impossible
Azerbaijan and with Foods this year.
25+ years of experience
in pharmaceutical and
FMCG companies across
many countries, Nigyar
spent the past 21 years
with Mars Incorporated,
and was a member of
the Executive Committee of the Petcare business for the
last 10 years. Before being Global President of Mars Pet
Nutrition - a business of $10 billion+ turnover, present in
100+ markets with 80+ factories, 15,000 employees and a
wide portfolio of the world’s most famous brands - she was
Regional President for Europe, Russia and South Africa.
She also served as Global CMO for Petcare, establishing
the function, turbo-charging the innovation pipe-line, and
kicking off digitalization.

44 SUPPLIER NEWS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

Orkla acquires bakery Terra expands
ingredients maker Vamo
production
Orkla Food Ingredients, through its Netherlands. The deal sees Orkla
wholly-owned subsidiary Sonneveld continue its spree of acquisitions with allergen-
Group, has acquired Dutch company and follows its purchase last month
Vamo produkten voor de Bakkerij. of a minority stake in Icelandic free roasting
Vamo manufactures specialised chocolate company Nói Siríus. In
concentrates and ingredient mixes April, the company’s Orkla Food capacities
to producers of artisan and industrial Ingredients unit secured a deal to
bakery products. Established in 1963, buy Zeelandia Sweden, a supplier of US based Terra
Vamo’s headquarters and production margarine, vegetable oils and bakery Ingredients, supplier
facilities are located in Duiven, the ingredients. of organic and non-
GMO flax, beans, pulses
Natural Remedies receives and grains, alongside
GRAS status for Turmacin affiliate company Stone
Mill has announced
Bengaluru based ingredient supplier subject to premarket review the addition of state-
Natural Remedies has announced and approval by FDA, unless the of-the-art roasting
a GRAS self-determination status substance is generally recognized, capabilities to their joint
for Turmacin, its branded turmeric among qualified experts, as having services. As a result,
ingredient. The company used the been adequately shown to be the companies aim to
services of US based consultancy Soni safe under the conditions of its raise the traceability
& Associates to form its expert panel intended use, or unless the use of of their new products
to vet the safety of the ingredient. the substance is otherwise excepted and solutions while
"GRAS" is an acronym for the phrase from the definition of a food additive. lowering costs. With
Generally Recognized As Safe. Under Turmacin is unique among turmeric Stone Mill’s equipment
sections 201(s) and 409 of the Federal ingredients as it is a water extract integrated within an
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the and does not contain curcuminoids. allergen-free facility,
Act), any substance that Rather, the ingredient is standardized Terra is now offering
is intentionally to contain bioactive polysaccharides customers a highly
added to food which the company brands as customized, roasted
is a food product. Previously, in
additive, Turmerosaccharides. its roasting process,
that is Terra had to send beans
to a third-party roaster,
which not only increased
costs, but added an
additional link to the
supply chain. Stone Mill’s
fully-automated roasting
process is designed to
provide continuous flow
and efficiency, delivering
a level of control and
heat consistency. Terra
and Stone Mill now
specialize in maintaining
a specific roast or
moisture level for the
product, creating specific
formulation solutions to
their customer's exact
taste or organoleptic
property requirements.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in SUPPLIER NEWS 45

Borealis, Mondi Tetra Pak surpasses 500B FSC
labelled package milestone
develop novel
Tetra Pak has now delivered years ahead. Tetra Pak’s recent
packaging more than 500 billion environmental research shows
packages labelled with the that there is an ever-growing
solution Forest Stewardship Council trend of consumers interested
(FSC) logo globally, marking in environmental issues, one
Austrian duo, Borealis AG and a significant milestone in the in two consumers now look
Mondi Group have developed a company’s journey to promote for environmental logos on
breakthrough food packaging responsible sourcing and the products they buy. Widely
solution which offers high contributing to a low-carbon recognised as the highest
performance and is easy to recycle. circular economy. With the global certification standard
The solution is based on Borealis’ launch of the world’s first FSC- for forest management, the
proprietary Borstar Nucleation certified Tetra Pak package FSC logo enables consumers
Technology (BNT), which involves with J Sainsbury in 2007, the to choose brands that are
nucleating polypropylene (PP) during number of cartons bearing the committed to sustainable
polymerization as opposed to the FSC logo increased steadily forestry, with 30 per cent of
standard approach of adding a each year, accelerating in consumers globally having
nucleating agent during pelletization. the last three years. The seen or heard of the FSC label.
The process increases stiffness environment is top of mind for
of materials without negatively
affecting the drop impact resistance, consumers and is expected
thus enabling downgauging. In to be an even more
addition, needing lower extrusion relevant topic in
temperature the BNT materials the
reduce energy consumption by up to
10 per cent and reduce cycle times
thanks to shorter cooling times.
Using Borealis BC918CF, a special
BNT-modified copolymer, Mondi
is producing new easy-to-recycle
monomaterial packaging solutions
for meat and dairy products.

Agilent contributes to research on
performance enhancing spinach extract

Agilent Technologies Inc. has characteristics of ecdysterone,
announced that its instruments the main component of spinach
and expertise contributed extracts. The study, which
to a groundbreaking study included researchers in Berlin,
commissioned by the World Cologne, Rome, and Sydney,
Anti-Doping Agency, or found that the substance has
WADA. Researchers at Freie a strong effect on muscle
Universität Berlin used gas cells, stronger, in fact, than
and liquid chromatography anabolic androgenic steroids,
instruments, along with high- which are prohibited in sports.
resolution mass spectrometry Performance in exercises
systems, all from Agilent, to increased significantly in
study to the strength-building comparison to a control group.

46 SCIENCE NEWS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

CFTRI completes study on PET evaluation

Council of Scientific and Industrial the implications of contents (water) whether PET bottles contribute to
Research (CSIR) - Central Food stored in PET bottles. To investigate Endocrine Disruption, water stored
Technological Research Institute in PET bottles (alongside water
(CFTRI) has conducted a study with stored in glass bottles as a reference)
respect to Evaluation of PET bottles was administered to experimental
for migration studies for food contact male and female rats for 30 days and
applications for PET Packaging 60 days and effects on their blood
Association for Clean Environment hormone levels were measured by
(PACE), New Delhi. There is a enzyme linked immunosorbent
widespread belief that consumption assay (ELISA). The experimental
of contents stored to PET bottles male and female rats exhibited
may cause adverse effects including comparable blood hormone levels
general toxicity and disruption of when given water stored in PET
endocrine systems. The overall aim bottles and glass bottles under same
of this work component is to assess test conditions.

Nuts may improve Excess Vitamin
metabolic profile of fat cells
D harmful
A recent study in Spain, funded resistance and type 2 diabetes in
by the International Nut & Dried obesity. This study characterized to bones
Fruit Council showed that some miRNAs (small nucleic acids
nuts such as walnuts and hazelnuts involved in the regulation of Researchers from the Cumming
may help improve the metabolic gene expression) vehicled by School of Medicine's McCaig
profile of fat cells. The study also nanovesicles (emerging players in Institute for Bone and Joint
revealed novel anti-inflammatory cell-to-cell communication) isolated Health in Canada have
functions of these nuts. Obesity is from walnuts and hazelnuts, conducted a new three year-
an enlargement of adipose tissue and tested their effectiveness on long study and found that there
to store excess energy intake. inflammatory and metabolic profile are no additional benefits of
Excessive calorie intake may lead to in fat cells. Researchers found that taking in extra Vitamin D. The
the formation of fat cells, promoting two conserved plant miRs (miR156c Health Canada recommends
their deterioration (aging) by and miR159a) were able to limit that all individuals take daily
increasing the production of inflammatory response and recover 600 international units (IU) of
proinflammatory molecules. insulin sensitivity in obese mice (fed Vitamin D up to the age of 70
Low grade inflammation is a key with a high fat diet). Results suggest years which is raised to 800 IU
that nut miRs improve metabolic after the age of 70 years. On
factor in the profile of fat cells and reveal a novel the other hand, Osteoporosis
development anti-inflammatory function of plant Canada recommends that
of insulin foods (including nuts) as promising adults who are at risk of getting
therapeutics to treat low-grade osteoporosis should take a
daily 400 - 2,000 IU of Vitamin
inflammation. D. The researchers observed
that people consuming higher
doses of vitamin D had lower
bone mineral density in
comparison to others. Through
this study, researchers reached
out to a conclusion that for
healthy adults, 400 IU daily
is a reasonable dose. Doses
of 4,000 IU or higher are not
recommended for the majority
of individuals.



48 ACADEMIC NEWS NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

CFTRI NIFTEM conducts workshop
on food biotech trends
organises
Three day workshop on Current participated in the workshop. Dr
training Trends in Food Biotechnology was T.R. Sharma, Executive Director NABI
organized by National Institute of was the chief guest. Prominent
programme Food Technology Entrepreneurship speakers from reputed organizations
and Management, Sonipat, Haryana including IIT Delhi, ICAR-NDRI
on food in August 2019 in collaboration with Karnal and Delhi University were
National Agri-Food Biotechnology also present. Topics such as the
dehydration Institute (NABI), Mohali, Center of importance of biotechnology in the
Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing field of engineering, science and
CSIR-Central Food (CIAB), Mohali and Biotechnology technology and agriculture were
Technological Research & Bio-process Center of Excellence, discussed. Dr Chindi Vasudevappa,
Institute (CFTRI), Mysure Addis Ababa Science and Technology Vice Chancellor, NIFTEM, emphasized
has organised a short University, Ethiopia. The workshop on organizing similar workshops
training programme on was sponsored by the Department which not only provide essential
advanced techniques of Science & Technology. Around 42 knowledge but provide a platform to
for food dehydration in participants including students and the budding students, scientific and
September 2019. The scientists from different colleges and technical people to interact and share
training programme universities of India and Ethiopia experiences.
covered both basics and
recent development in the NABI inks MoU with
area of food dehydration. Central University of Haryana
It was conducted by the
Department of Technology The National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI), Mohali and Central
Scale-up at CFTRI. The University of Haryana (CUH), Adalpur, Haryana have signed a Memorandum of
removal of moisture from Understanding (MoU) to undertake joint research work in the areas of mutual
a food product is one of interest. The MoU was signed by Dr T.R. Sharma, Executive Director, NABI and
the oldest preservation Prof. R.C. Kuhad, Vice-Chancellor, CUH. Both the institutes agreed to share their
techniques namely respective research and development (R&D) facilities to promote research
drying or dehydration. interactions along with Impart training to staff, students and technical personnel
However, the drawbacks within the areas of cooperation.
of dehydration are high
unit processing cost,
especially for freezedried
products, and poor quality
texture and flavor in some
cases. The advanced
drying techniques involve
field assisted methods,
such as Dielectric heating
(Radio Frequency
and Microwave),
Electromagnetic heating
(infrared), Inductive
heating, Ohmic heating,
and heating in the
presence of external fields
such as Pulsed electric
fields, Ultrasound and UV
lights.

NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in EVENT DIARY 49

'FICCI FOODWORLD INDIA 2019'

“Government to support industrialists and budding
entrepreneurs to set up food processing industries”

Dignitaries at the inauguration
of the 'FICCI FOODWORLD INDIA
2019' organized on August 29, in
Mumbai. Seen in picture from L-R
; Jyoti Vij, Dy. Secretary General,
FICCI, Sanjeev Chopra, Principal
Secretary, Department of Industries,
Government of Odisha, Hemant
Malik, Chair, FICCI Food Processing
Committee & CEO- Food Division,
ITC Ltd, Rameshwar Teli, Minister of
State for Food Processing Industries,
Government of India, Mohit Anand,
Co-Chair, FICCI Food Processing
Committee & MD, Kellog's India,
Reema Prakash, Joint Secretary,
Ministry for Food Processing
Industries, Government of India, Siraj
Hussain, former Secretary, Ministry
of Agriculture & Food Processing
Industries, Government of India.

Rameshwar Teli, Minister of State for Food Processing wastage has impacted the growth of the industry. We
Industries, Government of India, said that the food hope there are reforms that will increase development in
processing sector is one of the most promising the food processing infrastructure and drive investment
sectors in our country with a high potential to grow in agriculture."
in the future. Speaking at 'FICCI FOODWORLD INDIA
2019' organized by Federation of Indian Chambers of Reema Prakash, Joint Secretary, Ministry for Food
Commerce and Industry (FICCI), jointly with the Ministry Processing Industries, Government of India said, "The
of Food Processing Industries on August 29 in Mumbai, Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojna will not only
Teli said, "Our budget is of Rs 1,400 crore and the Ministry provide a big boost to the growth of food processing
of Food Processing Industries will assist industrialists and sector in the country but also help in providing better
young entrepreneurs to set up food processing industry returns to farmers. It is a big step towards doubling of
in the country especially in the hilly terrains." farmers income, creating huge employment opportunities
especially in the rural areas."
Teli invited the industry and entrepreneurs to invest
in the north eastern states. "Government will assist all the Hemant Malik, Chair, FICCI Food Processing
investors and industrialist to set up units in these states Committee & CEO- Food Division, ITC Ltd said, "India has
and especially in North East and Jammu Kashmir," he said. moved from a food scarce to a food surplus nation and the
industry is on track in terms of growth and profitability.
While highlighting the offerings by Odisha The food processing sector has immense potential for
government in the food processing sector Sanjeev value addition and its development synergizes the two
Chopra, Principal Secretary, Department of Industries, pillars of economy i.e. industries and agriculture. Various
Government of Odisha, said, "Food processing sector is government initiatives and reforms have resolved a lot of
identified as one of the priority sectors in Odisha and has hurdles faced by the industry."
immense potential. The Odisha government has taken
various measures to maintain the cost of doing business Mohit Anand, Co-Chair, FICCI Food Processing
and improve infrastructure in the state." Committee & MD, Kellog's India said that the food
processing sector has the potential of become a Rs 500
Siraj Hussain, former Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture billion sector which will not only focus on improving
& Food Processing Industries, Government of India, shared farmer's income but also improve the employment
his concerns faced by the sector and said, "Due to the fall and infrastructure and stay aligned with the country’s
in prices, the farmers have suffered. The increase in food nutrition and health agenda.

50 EVENT DIARY NUFFOODSSPECTRUM | October 2019 | www.nuffoodsspectrum.in

51st Annual National Conference November “Private sector
of Nutrition Society of India 8 – 9, is aiding
2019 development
of agri & food
Achieving Food and Nutrition Security (FNS) is a priority in processing
developing countries. One of the key routes to achieve a resilient sectors”
global food system and improved FNS requires a reorientation
of relevant policies. Among them, policies associated with the "Ilaud Walmart for its Rs 180 crore
creation, adoption and adaptation of technologies, knowledge and ($25 million) commitment towards
innovations and with their related institutional adjustments are the strengthening the Indian farm sector. The
key factors to counter the complex and evolving challenges of the private sector is playing a strong role in
global food system. In this regard the Nutrition Society of India will aiding development in the agriculture and
showcase innovations in securing FNS and its impact on FNS. It will food processing sectors. These will play a
explore the use of traditional knowledge and technology in attaining major role in the Government's vision of
FNS; taking into consideration the views of all the concerned stake doubling farmer incomes by 2022," said
holders. It will highlight the priorities of FNS innovations. Rameswar Teli, Minister of State for Food
 Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, Processing Industries, Government of India
Kerala  http://www.nsi2019.com/ delivering a keynote address at a summit
on 'Strengthening Agri Systems: Road
REFCOLD INDIA 2019 November to supporting smallholder farmers and
21 – 23, boosting incomes' in New Delhi on August
28.
2019
The event was organised by Federation
REFCOLD INDIA is a destination for innovation, education and of Indian Chambers of Commerce and
B2B networking for the entire food industry. More than 15,000 Industry (FICCI) Aditya Birla CSR Centre for
decision-makers and innovators from retail, food service, Excellence together with Walmart.org.
processing, production, distribution, logistics, and transportation
representing frozen, refrigerated, ambient and fresh operations Vivek Aggarwal, Joint Secretary (Crops &
are expected to attend. REFCOLD INDIA - exhibition, seminars and IT) & CEO-PM KISAN, Ministry of Agriculture
workshops combine to deliver the valuable and comprehensive and Farmers Welfare, Government of India
business-to-business networking event serving the perishables said, "All stakeholders, across the private
industry. Companies that participate in the event gain a high and public sectors, must work together
level of brand recognition and targeted business development to enable better prices for farmers and
opportunies in front of key buying audiences that produce, handle, help them access markets across India.
store, transport or are involved in the distribution of perishable This will necessitate the intervention of
products and are looking to optimize their supply chain and/or private sector players and for India's FPO
improve facility operations. movement to prioritize remunerative prices
 Hitex Exhibition Centre, Hyderabad, Telangana for the farming community."
 http://www.refcoldindia.com
"Today's grant announcement builds
International Conference November upon the Walmart Foundation's efforts
on Surgical Nutrition - 2019 22 – 23, to increase economic opportunity for
smallholder farmers and their families
2019 while promoting sustainable farming
practices and the empowerment and
With the theme “Advancing Surgical Nutrition in India" the inclusion of women," said Kathleen
McLaughlin, Walmart Foundation President
conference will explore new topics in surgical nutrition and and EVP, Chief Sustainability Officer of
Walmart.
application of various Nutrition Intervention techniques in different

Indian clinical settings.
 M.S. Ramaiah Medical College, M S Ramaiah Nagar, Mathikere,

Bengaluru, Karnataka
 http://www.iapen.co.in/icsn2019/welcome.html