Baba Ramdev's Patanjali atta noodles again in a controversy, worms found
Baba Ramdev's Patanjali atta noodles again in a controversy, worms found

The controversy involving selling Patanjali noodle brand without appropriate license from the Indian food regulator, yoga guru Baba Ramdev-promoted Patanjali brand has faced heat from a consumer for an alleged worm that landed in his plate of Patanjali Atta Noodles, reported ET.

But Patanjali has rubbished the reports saying they are "fabricated". "The reports are baseless and fabricated. No formal complaint has been lodged," said S K Tijarawala Ramdev's spokesman.

The Patanjali Ayurved Ltd, last month, with revenues in excess of Rs 2,000 cr for 2014-15, was issued a showcase notice by FSSAI seeking explanation on how could the Patanjali Atta Noodles be retailed without appropriate license.

Patanjali has so far maintained that it complied with the guidelines laid down under the law. Amid the controversy, the consumer goods company was the third most advertised brand on television in India during the last week of November, behind Cadbury and Fair & Lovely.

Reportedly, Patanjali Ayurved has set aside more than Rs 300 crore for advertising and promotion and is set to step up its publicity campaign further.

Patanjali's confirmation in the noodle license case notwithstanding, the stakes are high for the brand trumpeting the swadeshi card to the hilt with netizens slamming the brand and Tweeting "They are now ready to enter the China market."

 
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Indus Food-II Secures Business Deals Worth $1 Billion
Indus Food-II Secures Business Deals Worth $1 Billion
 

The second edition of Indus Food saw business deals and agreements worth $1 billion negotiated which would materialise in the upcoming months. "We had 800 global buyers from 78 countries who participated in Indus Food. In the first edition, we had participation from 43 countries which generated business worth $650 million, and this year, we managed to secure business transactions worth over $1 billion," said Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) Chairman Mohit Singla. TPCI had organised the two-day Indus Food Supermarket at India Expo at Greater Noida. 

"Indus Food-II saw the participation of 500 exhibitors who displayed products in 14 zones. We had 12,500 business meetings between Indian producers and foreign buyers. Over 10 MoUs were signed during 14 B2B meetings and one multilateral dialogue on Indian tea. We also had three government-to-government meetings with Vietnam, Iraq and UAE and one government-to-business with Bangladesh. Odisha Government was our partner which had organised investor meet," said Singla.

Must Read: Only 10% of Food Produce is Utilised in India, says Harsimrat Kaur Badal

Supported by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Indus Food is the flagship global trade show to maximise business opportunities for F&B (food and beverage) industry. Indus Food has been developed as the World Supermarket, to enable rest of the world meet their F&B requirements. 

"The most remarkable aspect of Indus Food-II was that it focused on SMEs for export business by bringing buyers to their doorstep and creating business opportunities for producers of value-added and organic products. Doubling of farmers’ income will happen if the business grows. With the Indian Government itself now working towards the identification of most prominent global buyers and creating their interactions with quality Indian suppliers through Indus Food, the benefit will percolate to the farmers. Moreover, the target of $60 billion exports, as envisaged in our Agri-Export Policy is now within reach,” said Singla. 

“Indus Food especially promotes value-added and organic products. India is ranked first in terms of the total number of organic producers with 11 lakh farmers practising organic. With the Government removing all restrictions on the export of organic farm products, the organic food export is sure to contribute in a much bigger way now, in meeting the target of $60 billion food and agriculture exports by 2022, as set by the Agriculture Export Policy 2018,” added Singla. 

Significantly, at the inaugural of Indus Food-II, Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal had said the Centre had roped in NAFED to ensure food procurement direct from farmers to help them get a better income and save their perishable items.

 

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MoFPI invites proposals for establishment of mega food parks in uncovered states
MoFPI invites proposals for establishment of mega food parks in uncovered states
 

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) has invited applications for setting up of mega food parks (MFPs) under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojna in the states and Union Territories (UTs) that do not have any mega food park allocations so far. 

MoFPI has ordered promoters from all the uncovered states like Goa, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Tamil Nadu and UTs to submit their proposals by February 9, 2019. In this regard, the ministry issued a notice seeking applications from the investors.

The notice stated, "MoFPI is inviting proposals/expressions of interest (EoIs) from the potential promoters for setting up MFPs in the country. Proposals received for setting up mega food parks in the uncovered states and all the UTs against the vacancies available for the project will be considered."

"If no proposal is received from these uncovered states, proposals for states having mega parks, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura, will be considered," the ministry further added.

 

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Rs 3,000 crore to be made available for small food processing units for MSME sector's new scheme
Rs 3,000 crore to be made available for small food processing units for MSME sector's new scheme
 

Pushpa Subramaniyam, Secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), has said that a sum of Rs 3,000 crore will be made available to small food processing units with MoFPI working on a new scheme for MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) sector.

This amount will be made available in addition to the Rs 6,000 crore fund marked for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana for cluster development.

Subramaniyam stated, "We are in process of formulating a new scheme of about Rs 3,000 crore - MSME sector-specific, where we will be investing heavily on improving entrepreneurship development of micro-units, along with providing the capacity to access the credit institutions available in the country besides providing training and research & development support to them."

"The outlook I see for food processing industry is that there would be a major push to make credit available to the sector. Several crucial steps were taken in the last few years by the government in this regard like NABARD fund of Rs 2,000 crore has been sanctioned," she further said.

 

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West European buyers keen to source Food and Beverage from India
West European buyers keen to source Food and Beverage from India
 

European supermarket chains and top manufacturers of processed food are expected to source their Food and Beverage (F&B) requirements from India at the Indusfood-II.

Indusfood-II is the export-focused annual F&B trade fair organised by the Trade Promotion Council of India (TPCI) jointly with the commerce ministry’s Department of Commerce.

The second edition of Indusfood will be held in Greater Noida on January 14-15, 2019. The tradeshow will showcase India's best line-up of food, beverages and agri products to global buyers.

The ministry said, "The Indusfood-II is expected to see the participation of more than 600 global buyers from around 50 countries."

Indusfood-II will be seeing the participation of many foreign government delegations and representatives of large foreign companies involved in the strategic purchase of food commodities through investments or long-term purchase agreements to achieve the food security of their country or to supply their large food processing industries.

The Indusfood-I was held in early 2018. Generating an estimated business of $650 million, it saw international buyers from 43 countries and 320 Indian exporters, from 12 categories of F&B industry.

 

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Harsimrat Kaur Badal says FDI in food processing sector touches $1-billion mark this year
Harsimrat Kaur Badal says FDI in food processing sector touches $1-billion mark this year
 

Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the Food Processing Minister, has said that the foreign direct investment (FDI) in the food processing sector has already touched the $1-billion mark so far this year.

Badal said, "When we took over the government in 2014, FDI in the food processing sector used to be USD 500 million every year. This year, we touched USD 1-billion mark. This is a tip of the iceberg, we have to go a long way."

In 2017-2018, FDI in the food processing sector was $904.9 million. While, in 2016-17, 2015-16 and 2014-15, it stood at $727.22 million, $505.88 million and $15.86 million, respectively.

The minister said that the FDI in multi-brand retail was allowed keeping in mind the need to boost food processing level and provide an alternative market to farmers to sell their produce.

"I am happy to see companies like Metro and Walmart are keen to tie up directly with farmers," she said.

Ashok Dalwai, CEO of National Rainfed Area Authority (NREA), said, "We have seen that the captive investment in agriculture, which is pre-requisite for any kind of accelerated growth, has not really happened through the corporate sector."

"Agriculture, which is the primary economic activity and in a way it is the economic sector which generates the demand for services and industry sectors, was not subjected to the liberalisation. But in the last four years, the emphasise has been on bringing in reforms in the sector and make it a private sector enterprise," Dalwai further added.

 

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Biscuit maker Anmol Industries receives approval for IPO
Biscuit maker Anmol Industries receives approval for IPO
 

Anmol Industries, a branded packaged food company focused on biscuits and cakes, has received approval from markets regulator SEBI for its initial public offering (IPO). The Kolkata-based company filed the DRHP (draft red herring prospectus) for the IPO in June.
Since 1994, Anmol Industries Limited has come a long way to become one of the fastest growing FMCG brands of India.

The IPO would aggregate up to Rs 750 crore through an offer for sale. 

The offer for sale would be by Baijnath Choudhary & Family Trust, represented through its trustees aggregating up to Rs 720.4 crore, by SKG Land Developers LLP aggregating up to Rs 22.5 crore, by Delta Nirman LLP aggregating up to Rs 4 crore, by Anmol Hi-Cool LLP aggregating up to Rs 2.5 crore and by Puneet Mercantiles LLP aggregating up to Rs 60 lakh.

Edelweiss Financial Services Limited, ICICI Securities Limited and Motilal Oswal Investment Advisors Limited are the BRLMs (Book Running Lead Managers) to the issue.

 

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मंत्रीश्री का कहना है कि भारत का फ़ूड प्रॉसेसिंग भारी निवेश को आकर्षित करता है।
मंत्रीश्री का कहना है कि भारत का फ़ूड प्रॉसेसिंग भारी निवेश को आकर्षित करता है।
 

खाद्य प्रसंस्करण राज्य मंत्री साध्वी निरंजन ज्योति ने कहा कि भारत के खाद्य प्रसंस्करण क्षेत्र ने भारी निवेश को प्रभावित किया है और अमेरिका उद्योग की पहल में एक प्रमुख भूमिका निभा रहा है।

उन्होंने कहा, "वैश्विक मानकों पर खाद्य प्रसंस्करण लाने का भारत का लक्ष्य भारी निवेश लाया है और अमेरिका उद्योग की पहलों में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभा रहा है।"

मंत्री ने कहा कि हाल के वर्षों में भारत और अमेरिका ने अपने संबंधों को मजबूत किया है। उन्होंने यह भी कहा कि सरकार 'सबका साथ, सबका विकास' के मिशन की दिशा में अथक रूप से काम कर रही है।

साध्वी ने आगे कहा, "समावेशी विकास की यह भावना न केवल भारतीय किसानों के लिए फायदेमंद है, जिनकी आय सरकार ने 2022 तक दोगुना करने की मांग की है, बल्कि अमेरिका जैसे अंतर्राष्ट्रीय भागीदारों के लिए भी और सभी के लिए आर्थिक समृद्धि पैदा कर सकते हैं।"

यस बैंक के वरिष्ठ प्रेसिडेंट और वैश्विक प्रमुख (खाद्य और कृषि सामरिक सलाहकार और रिसर्च), नितिन पुरी ने कहा, "भारत सरकार खाद्य प्रसंस्करण में अभूतपूर्व बदलाव ला रही है और इस माहौल ने भारत और अमेरिका के बीच सहयोग के लिए कई अवसर पैदा किए हैं। इस सहयोग के लिए मार्ग संपूर्ण मूल्य श्रृंखलाओं में निवेश हो सकता है। इससे फ़ूड वेस्टेज का नुकसान कम हो सकता है, वैश्विक सर्वोत्तम प्रथाओं और सुपीरियर कोल्ड चैन्स जैसी टेक्नोलॉजी भारत को मिल सकती हैं और भारतीय सामान को वैश्विक बाजारों में बेच सकते हैं।"

 

 

 

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Minister says India's food processing attracts heavy investment
Minister says India's food processing attracts heavy investment
 

Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Minister of State for Food Processing, said that India’s food processing sector has captivated heavy investment and the US is playing a major role in the industry's initiatives.

She said, "India's goal of bringing food processing to global standards has brought about heavy investment, and America is playing a significant role in the industry's initiatives."

The Minister stated that in recent years India and the US have strengthened their relations. She also said that the government is working tirelessly towards the mission of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. 

"This spirit of inclusive growth is not only beneficial for Indian farmers whose income the government has sought to double by 2022, but also for international partners like America, and can create economic prosperity for all," Sadhvi further added. 

Nitin Puri, Yes Bank’s Senior President and Global head (Food and Agri Strategic Advisory and Research), said, "Indian government is catalysing a revolution in food processing, and this environment has created many opportunities for collaboration between India and the US. A recommended pathway for this collaboration can be an investment in entire value chains. These can mitigate food wastage losses, bring global best practices and technologies like superior cold chains to India, and sell Indian goods in global markets."

 

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सरकार ने खाद्य प्रसंस्करण क्षेत्र के लिए एनबीएफसी बनाने के प्रस्तावों को आमंत्रित किया है
सरकार ने खाद्य प्रसंस्करण क्षेत्र के लिए एनबीएफसी बनाने के प्रस्तावों को आमंत्रित किया है
 

केंद्रीय खाद्य प्रसंस्करण उद्योग मंत्री, हरसिमरत कौर बादल ने कहा है कि सरकार इस महीने गैर-बैंकिंग वित्तीय कंपनी (एनबीएफसी) की स्थापना के लिए बोलियां आमंत्रित करेगी, जो खाद्य प्रसंस्करण क्षेत्र की क्रेडिट जरूरतों को पूरा करेगी। एनबीएफसी की स्थापना 2,000 करोड़ रुपये के शुरुआती कॉर्पस के साथ की जाएगी।

मंत्री ने कहा, "आरएफपी (प्रस्ताव के लिए अनुरोध) इस महीने बाहर होने की उम्मीद है। एनबीएफसी ईस साल के अंत तक होगा।"

"कई अंतर्राष्ट्रीय फंडों ने इसमें रुचि दिखाई है। हम इस वित्तीय संस्थान के लिए धन जुटाने, बैंकों के एक संघ को एक साथ लाने में सक्षम होंगे, जो न केवल खाद्य प्रसंस्करण क्षेत्र को उधार देगा, बल्कि जोखिम मूल्यांकन, क्षमता निर्माण और खाद्य अपव्यय रोकने के लिए भी काम करेगा।" बादल ने आगे कहा।

जनसंख्या में वृद्धि के साथ बढ़ती खाद्य मांग के चलते बादल ने कहा कि कुछ फंडों का अनुसंधान और विकास के लिए भी उपयोग किया जा सकता है। उन्होंने निजी क्षेत्र के साथ साझेदारी करने और कटाई के बाद होने वाले नुकसान को कम करने के लिए एक समिति की स्थापना पर जोर दिया।

 

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Government to invite proposals to create NBFC for food processing sector
Government to invite proposals to create NBFC for food processing sector
 

Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, has said that the government will invite bids this month for setting up of a non-banking financial company (NBFC), which will cater to credit needs of the food processing sector. The NBFC will be set up with an initial corpus of Rs 2,000 crore.

The Minister said, "The RFP (request for proposal) should be out hopefully this month. The NBFC will be in place by end of the year." 

"Many international funds have shown interest. We will be able to make a consortium of banks to come together to put funds for this financial institution, which will not only lend to food processing sector but will also work towards risk assessment, capacity building and cut food wastage," Badal further added.

In the wake of rising food demand with an increase in the population, Badal stated that some funds may also be utilised for research and development. She also emphasized on the need to partner with the private sector and set up a body to reduce post-harvesting losses. 

 

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Specialized formulation by Uflex renders barrier packaging for edible-oil reprocessable
Specialized formulation by Uflex renders barrier packaging for edible-oil reprocessable
 

In a big boost to its commitment towards sustainability and circular economy, Uflex Limited has developed a customised formulation that renders barrier packaging for edible-oil re-processable. The country’s largest multinational flexible packaging materials and solutions company developed the packaging alternative seeing the huge potential of packaged foods market in the country.

 “Edible oil needs to be carefully protected from oxygen that makes it rancid. Barrier properties in a coextruded film for edible-oil packaging are imparted by Nylon and/or EVOH. However, it is the presence of these two elements that makes the packaging of edible-oil non-reprocessable. We at Uflex have developed a specialized formulation that renders barrier packaging for edible-oil re-processable despite the presence of Nylon and/or EVOH,” said Jeevaraj Pillai Joint President, Packaging and New Product Development at Uflex while talking about this major breakthrough in promoting flexible packaging sustainability.

“Now the edible oil manufacturers need not worry and can easily fulfil their recyclability commitments by using barrier packaging having our formulation. According to data from market research firm Euromonitor International, the edible oil category, which had overtaken dairy to become the largest packaged food segment in our country a few years ago, grew at 25.6 percent to cross the Rs. 1.3 trillion mark in 2017. In fact, edible oil formed over 30 percent of the Rs 4.34 trillion packaged foods market in India. Thus the potential is huge and we are fully braced up to cater to the flexible packaging requirements of all edible-oil players in the country and overseas in a sustainable manner,” he said further.

“We accord prime importance to sustainable flexible packaging solutions and business processes. I am very glad to share that my R&D engineers have been able to develop a specialized formulation that renders barrier packaging for edible oil re-processable. Considering that edible oil category is the largest packaged food segment in our country, one can well imagine the massive global boost India as a Nation will get in terms of sustainability and promotion of circular economy if it is able to reprocess all the barrier packaging for edible oil. This is a great victory for Sustainability. This is a great victory for India.” said Ashok Chaturvedi, Chairman & Managing Director, Uflex Limited while Expressing joy over the development.

 

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PepsiCo To Lessen Sodium Content In Its Snack Brands
PepsiCo To Lessen Sodium Content In Its Snack Brands
 

In line with its global nutrition objectives, PepsiCo has decided to lessen the salt content in its flagship snacks brand Kurkure.

The first low-salt Kurkure packs have been recently rolled out, PepsiCo VP (snacks) Jagrut Kotecha said.

“As per our performance with purpose agenda, we are working to improve our snack products through a stepwise reduction approach. In India, we have been successful in reducing 21 metric tonnes of sodium from our entire snack portfolio till last year and aim to reduce sodium in 75% of our food’s portfolio by 2025. A recently launched variant of Kurkure has 21% less sodium, according to the snacks and beverages maker,” he said.

Kotecha said PepsiCo, which competes aggressively against more than two thousand local brands in addition to established competitors including ITC, Parle, and Haldiram in packaged salted snacks, is innovating aggressively through hyper localised variants, revamped packaging, and penetrative distribution.

“We continue to lead the snacking category in share and have been growing in double digits,” he said without divulging into the share data, adding that PepsiCo’s brands hadn’t lost “much share”.

PepsiCo, which makes Lays and Doritos besides Kurkure snacks, and soft drinks including Pepsi Cola and Mountain Dew, will reduce sodium and fat content in snacks and sugar content across its juices and carbonated drinks by 2025, the New York-based company had announced two years back.

According to its global commitments, three-quarters of its global foods portfolio will contain sodium volumes less than 1.3 milligrams per calorie, and that at least three-quarters of its foods will not exceed 1.1 grams of saturated fat per 100 calories by 2025.

 

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Japanese food processing major to set up unit at Siddipet in Telangana
Japanese food processing major to set up unit at Siddipet in Telangana
 

Japanese food processing major ISE Foods has planned to set up a processing unit near Siddipet in Telangana soon, the state government said today.

The Telangana government has "handed over all the required allotments and incentives details" to the Chairman of ISE Foods Nobuhiko ISE at a meeting held in Hyderabad today, it said in a release.

A MoU with ISE foods was inked during state Industries Minister KT Rama Rao's visit to Japan in January this year. Rao outlined the focus sectors of the state government.

It said the state government would extend all possible assistance to Japanese investors willing to invest in Telangana.

 

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Food Processing Park Bags Maiden Investment of Rs 200 Crore
Food Processing Park Bags Maiden Investment of Rs 200 Crore
 

The food processing park at Vinchur, about 60 kms from Nashik, has got its first investment worth Rs 200 crore. The two food processing plants are expected to become operational within the next one-and-a-half years.

Nashik firm Siva Sai Export and Andhra Pradesh firm Polysetty Somasundaram Agro have finalised their investments to set up units at the food processing park.

Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has already allotted 17 acres to Siva Sai Export and 7.5 acres to Polysetty Soma at the food processing park, located adjacent to Vinchur Wine Park, near Niphad.

Polysetty Somasundaram Agro is setting up a dehydration plant for onions and other vegetables at an investment of Rs 100 crore, which will generate 1,600 direct and indirect jobs and involve close to 40,000 farmers through contract farming.

“We are setting up a plant to dehydrate onions, garlic, carrot and beetroot. The processing capacity will be around 40,000 metric tonnes per annum. We will outsource production of onions and other vegetables through contract farming with around 45,000 farmers.” Shared company in a statement.

Siva Sai Export is setting up the food processing unit at an investment of Rs 100 crore, which will provide direct and indirect employment to 3,500 people. Apart from this, it will involve around 30,000 farmers into contract farming.

“We are already exporting frozen fruits and vegetables to Russia. Our new food processing plant at Vinchur will be an export-oriented unit. The processing capacity of the plant will be 10 metric tonnes per hour,” said the sources from Siva Sai Exports.

 

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Patanjali Signs Rs 671 Crore Pact with Chattisgarh Government
Patanjali Signs Rs 671 Crore Pact with Chattisgarh Government
 

The Chhattisgarh government has signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with three food processing firms, including Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved, to set up processing units at an estimated investment of Rs 762.80 crore.

The pacts were signed with Patanjali Ayurved Limited, Manorama Industries Private Ltd and Aakriti Snacks Private Limited during a meeting held at the official residence of Chief Minister Raman Singh.

CM Of ChattisGarh said "As a part of the three pacts, food industries will be set up with an investment of Rs 762.80 crore, and is likely to provide employment, directly or indirectly, to over 24,000 people. Chhattisgarh government has given top priority to the food processing sector in its industrial policy and every facility required will be provided to those willing to invest in this sector".

An official said that the MoU signed with Patanjali Ayurved was worth Rs 671 crore under which an agriculture and herbal processing unit would be set up in Bijetala village of Rajnandgaon district.

Head of Patanjali Ayurved Acharaya Balkrishna, Ashish Saraf of Manorama Industries and Ashish Agrawal of Akriti Snacks signed the agreement for their respective firms while Special Secretary, state industry department Kamalpreet Singh signed on behalf of the state government.

 

 

 

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Day 2 of World Food India concludes with Rs. 73,281 Crores worth of MoUs
Day 2 of World Food India concludes with Rs. 73,281 Crores worth of MoUs
 

On the second day of World Food India, Ministry of Food Processing Industries signed 22 more MOUs worth 5,281 crores bringing the total figure of MOU’s signed in two days of WFI to Rs. 73,281 crores.

Second day witnessed eminent companies such as Emami, Transworld, Sapphire, Danfoss, Keventer Agro amongst others signed the MoU’s with the Ministry of Food Processing and Industries for making investments in various food processing facilities. The event also marked the presence of Cabinet ministers like Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India; Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Minister of State, MoFPI, Government of India; Niranjan Jyoti, Minister of State, MoFPI, Government of India, Shri Nitin Gadkari, Hon`ble Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India and Shri Suresh Prabhu, Hon`ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

Ministers addressed the stakeholders and about the efforts that their ministries are taking to increase opportunities for investments in the Indian economy with a special focus on the food processing sector.

The first session was addressed by Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India along with Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Minister of State, MoFPI, and Government of India. The agriculture minister said that the Government has launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana for modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farms to retailers to give impetus to the agrarian economy and food processing industry.

Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Hon’ble Minister of State for Food Processing Industries said “ there is an increased belief about India’s progress in the rest of the world. The Government has taken revolutionary steps in promoting farmer’s welfare.”

Nitin Gadkari, Hon`ble Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, said “ under the Prime Minister’s vision of prioritizing the infrastructure development, India has fast paced the road development to 28 km per day from just 2 km. “We are enabling an infrastructure of multi-modal transport and network of hubs across India, which will transform the food logistics in the country and will allow farm produce from one state to the other state in a cost-efficient manner and in less time. He also stated that with GST being implemented, the barriers to the free movement of goods had been dismantled. The focus of the government now is on the development of coastal and inland waterways and linking of rivers among others.”

Speaking at the conference focusing on “Retail – Base of a Billion Consumers”, Shri Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, said, “With changing food habits of the Indian masses, the food processing industry is all set to become the sun-rise industry of the future. And retail is one of the most important component of the whole value chain to reach the end consumers, without which the concept of food processing cannot happen. We need to work on all aspects of food processing, and retail is important for development of the whole food processing industry.”

Apart from the sessions addressed by the ministers, the event was also graced by ministers of partner states such as Haryana, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Assam and Maharashtra, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat and ministers of focused states such as Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

 

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?Open to changes in new standards to support growth of food supplements and nutraceuticals industry: FSSAI
?Open to changes in new standards to support growth of food supplements and nutraceuticals industry: FSSAI
 

Food regulator, FSSAI has assured the food supplements and nutraceuticals industry that it is open to making changes in the new standards to support growth of the sector, but without compromising on consumers’ interest.

The Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations was issued last December.

Food Business Operators (FBOs) need to comply with these standards by January 1, 2018.

While addressing a Assocham conference on nutraceuticals, Pawan Kumar Agarwal, CEO, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), expressed concern over the increasing number of spurious food supplement products in the market.

Agarwal said, "We released standards on food supplements and nutraceuticals few months ago. There were some concerns from the industry but we went ahead and released the standards. But our effort is not to cast them in stone as these are evolving standards."

He said, "I want to assure the industry that if there are concerns, we are still open to change that. We have 5-6 months time before this regulation come in force. So, hopefully, we will iron out differences."

Agarwal further said that it has got many representations from the industry seeking some changes in the regulations related to inclusion of ingredients.

He said, "Food supplements is a difficult sector to regulate. But for us consumers interest is paramount and non-negotiable."

Agarwal asked manufacturers to be cautious in declaring any claims about the products.

He said, "A large number of spurious products are available in the market, there is no robust framework for testing of food supplement products."

FSSAI has set up a technical panel, which includes representation from industry as well, to prepare a framework for Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).

He said, "We do hope that it will bring greater clarity to have a more robust ecosystem for manufacturing, processing and distribution of food supplements in the country."

Agarwal said, "There is immense opportunity in this industry, but bad name to food supplements sector by few dubious players can hamper the growth of this sunrise industry".

JP Meena, Food Processing Secretary, said, "The size of this industry is currently $3-4 billion and is growing at 20 per cent."

He said, "There is a great potential for this sector as the market is huge for these products in India as well as overseas."

Meena said, "There is a need to keep the price of food supplements and nutraceuticals at an affordable level."

He emphasised on industry focus on backward linkages to ensure traceability and also on organised cultivation of plants required for nutraceuticals production.

Meena said that the government has recently launched Rs 6000 crore Sampada scheme to boost food processing and asked industry to avail benefit of this scheme.

He asked food supplement industry to set up units in mega food parks instead of establishing standalone facilities.

 

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Reports show, exports of FPI related commodities decline by 18% in 2016
Reports show, exports of FPI related commodities decline by 18% in 2016
 

Even as the food processing sector has outpaced agriculture in the last two years, export is likely to remain subdued this financial year due to slowdown in global demand, a Dun and Bradstreet report has said.

According to D&B report, "The food processing sector is poised for exponential growth with the government setting a target of doubling processing levels to 20 per cent by 2019, from the current 10 percent."

It said, the share of Food Processing Industries (FPI) in manufacturing value added is expected to increase, which aligns with the objective of 'Make in India, which provides an opportunity for companies to capitalise on the potential that the industry has to offer.

However, exports of FPI related commodities declined by 18 per cent (year-on-year) to USD 29.7 billion during FY16, which was in line with the declining trend in the country's overall shipments, it said.

While total cereal exports in FY17 would be close to last year's level due to tighter availabilities and moderation in demand, going forward we can expect a partial recovery as few countries have now opened their markets to Indian rice.

The report said that meat exports are also likely to increase only marginally with demand stemming from the Middle East, South Asia and Africa.

Food quality and safety standards stand as barriers to food exports in key markets such as the US and the European Union, it added.

Food exports, it said, are likely to be subdued in 2017 due to slowdown in global demand and the share of FPI related commodities to total exports could moderate marginally below the FY16 level of 11.3 per cent.

Lack of adequate infrastructure poses a major bottleneck to the growth of the food processing sector as India suffers from significantly high harvest and post-harvest losses, it said.

"The present cold storage capacity falls significantly short of the required capacity. Logistics cost also remains elevated due to multi-tier transportation in the absence of end-to-end logistics service providers. These constraints translate into low level of food processing in the country." the report added.

Rising awareness among consumers would largely define product offerings and food items will increasingly reflect healthy lifestyle trends where food transparency will no longer be optional but the norm, the report said.

Hence, there will be increased scope for players to tap new segments such as nutraceuticals and organic products.

Growing demand for clean labels food free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives will prompt manufacturers to hunt for the next healthy ingredient, it said.

 

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Govt may award incentives to food processing SMEs in the upcoming Budget
Govt may award incentives to food processing SMEs in the upcoming Budget
 

Government is predicted to announce incentives for small and medium food processing units in areas such as rice and tea in the Budget to promote the sector and boost manufacturing activities.

As per a source, the drive may encourage a scheme, 'Sampada', under which 35 per cent subsidy could be given incentive on the total investments. Also, the states would be requested to exempt these units from levies like VAT.

Under the scheme, the government may promote setting up of mini-food parks in which rice mills, spices, and tea leaves processing units can be established to avail the benefits.

There being a plan to provide single window clearance for these parks, the proposal is under discussion between the Food Processing Ministry and the Finance Ministry.

Last year, Food Processing Minister, Harsimrat Kaur Badal said that the Ministry is working on the scheme for development of small and medium scale processing clusters close to the growing areas of the specific farm produce.

Food Processing is a thrust sector under the government's 'Make in India' initiative. The programmes aim at making India a manufacturing hub in the world.

The government had already permitted 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in retailing of food products produced and manufactured in India.

 

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Indian Oil petrol pumps In Haryana will now sell milk products too
Indian Oil petrol pumps In Haryana will now sell milk products too
 

Indian oil Corporation (IOC) has joined hands with Haryana Dairy Development Cooperative (HDDC) Federation to sell milk products along side oil stations of IOC. Both the authorities have inked an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU )to put the final seal on the deal and as per the pact, HDDC will set up vita milk booth around 1,500 petrol pumps of IOC to sell milk and milk products.

The deal was inked in the presence of Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister, Haryana and during the ceremony, CM also informed that Haryana state has now became the first state to provide pure milk of desi cow.

CM further stated that the state has already set up a 5,000 litre plant at Kurukshetra for the purpose. Such MoUs will be signed with other companies as well to promote cow milk. Points of sale will be set up in Panchkula, Kurukshetra and Delhi.

Elaborating on the work cycle, CM said that milk of desi cows will be purchased from the cooperative milk societies working at village level at an attractive price and taken to the plant at Kurukshetra where it will be processed and packed. This will increase the income of milk producers, along with providing cow milk to consumers. Besides, it will help promote the rearing of cows in the state.

 

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Jain Irrigation enters fruit juice biz
Jain Irrigation enters fruit juice biz
 

Jain Irrigation Systems Ltd. (JISL) has launched their first branded retail product “AamRus” under the umbrella brand name of “Jain FarmFresh”.

‘AamRus’ is sweetened frozen mango pulp and a 100% natural product with no added colours, flavours or preservatives.

It can be enjoyed throughout the year in two delicious variants of Alphonso and Kesar. The product is rich in Vitamins A & C and has a shelf life of two years when stored at -18 degrees celsius.

‘AamRus’ has better taste and nutrient retention and is processed at the company’s internationally certified food plants.

The product is available in attractive and reusable packaging in food-grade polypropylene buckets (in two packaging sizes of 1 kg and 500 g) convenient for direct consumption or for use in recipes for milkshakes, lassis, aamrakhands and other mango desserts and dishes.

AamRus is currently available in Hypercity and Sahakaari Bhandaar Stores in Mumbai and is expected to be available across the trade segments in Greater Mumbai region shortly. The Company plans to expand to the rest of Maharashtra, Gujarat, M.P. and other States in Western and Northern India over the next six months.

Jain Irrigation’s Food Division, now being spun off into a subsidiary, Jain Farm Fresh Foods Ltd. (“JFFFL”), has been in the food processing business since 1994 making fruit pulps of mango, banana, guava, strawberry and dehydrated vegetables like onion, garlic, ginger. The Company is a world leader in supplying these products to global institutional customers like Coca-Cola, Frito-Lay, Nestle and Unilever.  The entry into the Indian retail market is a significant step towards capitalizing on the opportunity offered by the rapidly growing processed foods business in India.

‘AamRus’ is the first retail product out of the bouquet of retail products that the company proposes to launch in the processed fruits, vegetables and spices categories.

 

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Why SC is concerned over the quality of Maggi noodles again?
Why SC is concerned over the quality of Maggi noodles again?
 

Expressing concerns over quality of maggi noodles, the Supreme Court sought Mysore laboratory report on lead and msg levels in the instant noodles, reported PTI.

SC has asked Mysore lab to clarify whether test reports relating to lead and glutamic acid in Maggi are within permissible parameters under the law. The lab will give its report within eight weeks.

The apex court was hearing appeal filed by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) against the Bombay High Court verdict.

The Bombay High Court had on 13th August lifted the ban on nine variants of the fast food and asked the company to go for fresh tests.

The food regulator had appealed to the apex court against HC order overturning the nationwide ban on Maggi instant noodles.

The SC had on December 16 ordered testing of samples of Maggi noodles in Mysore laboratory after the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) had directed that it be done in Chennai.

A bench of justices Dipak Misra and Prafulla C Pant said, “During course of the hearing they (Centre and Nestle) agreed that the primary concern is health and the test has to be carried out to meet the parameters of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.”

“The consent was arrived that Mysore is well-equipped with all tests and being a referral notified laboratory, sample should be sent there,” it said.

Nestle India Ltd, during the arguments through senior advocate Harish Salve, opposed NCDRC’s direction for test at Chennai saying it is not accredited for salt and lead test.

This was vehemently opposed by Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi, who said that on their request the sample has been sent to Chennai. Later Nestle India and the Centre agreed for testing samples at Mysore.

 

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Patanjali will be the top noodle brand: Ramdev
Patanjali will be the top noodle brand: Ramdev
 

Ramdev, Yoga guru said Patanjali's atta noodles is on course to oust Maggi as the top noodles brand in the country in the next few years and the 'swadeshi' FMCG company will overtake all multinational firms in the consumer goods space, barring Hindustan Unilever (HUL), reported PTI.

"Patanjali atta noodles will soon oust Maggi as the top noodles brand in the country. Currently from about a 100 tonnes, our production of atta noodles will be increased to 300-500 tonnes," said Ramdev.

"Barring HUL, we will overtake all other multinational companies. These companies are taking money out of the country," he added.

Patanjali, which is slowly capturing bigger share in market by introducing array of products at a lower price, will also divert 100 per cent of its profits towards social service, he said.

He added that Patanjali is keeping its production costs low compared with MNCs, in order to keep the product price reasonable.

Patanjali in next five to seven years expects to earn profits of Rs 5,000 crore to Rs 10,000 crore and will divert it to non-profitable causes.

Ramdev said that his persistent campaign against black money and corruption over the last five years has created awareness among masses but it will take time for the government to fulfil the aspirations of the people.

"We have been persistently campaigning against black money and corruption since the last 5 years. The result is that people are aware of realities. Also, the country got rid of dynasty politics and a man from a humble background, who sold tea for a livelihood, became the Prime Minister. But it will take some time (for the government) to fulfil all the aspirations of the people," he said.

Ramdev is also planning to open a chain of schools across the country, based on vedic-cum-modern education called Acharyakulam, for which he is awaiting government permission.

"We will build a self-sustainable model and every state should have 2 to 3 such educational institutions," he said.

 

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FIR against Snapdeal for allegedly selling Maggi during ban period
FIR against Snapdeal for allegedly selling Maggi during ban period
 

FIR has been registered against the CEO and founder of an e-commerce major for allegedly selling popular Maggi noodles online in five Indian states during the ban period, reported PTI.

A case was registered against Kunal Bahl, CEO of Snapdeal and Rohit Bansal, founder for online sale of Nestle's instant noodles in five states including Rajasthan during the period of ban between June 7 and October 30 last year, said police.

A complaint was lodged by Lalit Sharma, a Jaipur-based lawyer following which police registered an FIR under sections 420 (cheating), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 272 (adulteration of food or drink intended for sale), 273 (sale of noxious food or drink) of the IPC and sections 59 and 63 of the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.

The company spokesperson said they have not received any information on the same.

Last June, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India had placed a ban on sale of Maggi after they found high levels of lead in it.

Moreover, the Bombay High Court had revoked the ban on Maggi on 19th October paving the way for it to be back on shelves.

 

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FSSAI may not upgrade products with 'Safe' ingredients
FSSAI may not upgrade products with 'Safe' ingredients
 

FSSAI may do away with product approvals if the ingredients used have already been cleared or are deemed safe. The new rules are being prepared for product approvals after an earlier advisory, which put it at loggerheads with the industry, was quashed by the Supreme Court for not having legal standing, reported ET.

“We are in the process of formulating regulations for product approval process. We thought we could take this opportunity to review the procedure rather than just convert the advisory into regulation, “said a senior FSSAI officer.

The FSSAI’s proposed regulation may require product approval only if a new ingredient or additive is introduced, a practice followed in several developed nations. The regulator has uploaded a list of permitted food additives and food items in which they can be used and the recommended maximum level.

“The move to harmonise our system with the global one is a good idea & this proposal will go a long way in sorting some issues out. Any half-baked moves will only result in us being in the same mess as we currently are & it is imperative the authorities make complete changes & not piece meal as it will only result in us trying to fit a square into a triangle,” said Dev Lall, MD of Bakers Circle.

The product approval process was sought in through a May 2013 advisory brought in through a May 2013 advisory which had been challenged by the Maharashtra-based Vital Nutraceuticals and the Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association and deemed illegal by the Bombay High Court. The authority appealed in the Supreme Court, which questioned the legal standing of the process as it was an advisory rather than a regulation.

The food processing industry had alleged that the product approval system had paved the way for an ‘inspector raj’ and it also drew flak from food processing minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who criticised the effects of regulatory overreach after the FSSAI imposed a nationwide ban on Nestle’s popular instant noodle brand, Maggi, in June.

While the FSSAI discontinued the process after the court’s ruling, it uploaded a circular on its website on August 26, which said the product approval process will be brought back as regulation. “Every endeavour will be made to expedite the regulations governing section 22 products,” the circular said.

Recently, the government appointed senior IAS officer Pawan Kumar Agarwal as the chief executive officer of the FSSAI in place of Yudhvir Singh Malik, who was behind the ban on Maggi.

 

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TN Muslim organisation issues fatwa against Patanjali products
TN Muslim organisation issues fatwa against Patanjali products
 

A Tamil Nadu based Muslim organisation has issued a 'fatwa' against Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev's Patanjali products made by using cow urine, saying their use was considered 'haram' (forbidden) in Islam, reported PTI.

Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamat (TNTJ) said cow's urine was being used as a 'key ingredient' in cosmetics, medicines and food products of Patanjali that are available in open markets as well as online.

"According to the beliefs of Muslims, cow's urine is haram which should not be used. Therefore, TNTJ issues a fatwa that products of Patanjali are haram," said TNTJ in a release.

The fatwa was being issued to ensure that such products were not consumed by Muslims due to a lack of awareness about the ingredients of the products they consume in daily life, it added.

 

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Jetha Bharwad becomes Amul's first vice-chairman
Jetha Bharwad becomes Amul's first vice-chairman
 

Senior BJP MLA and Chairman of Panchmahal Dairy, Jetha Bharwad was unanimously elected as the first vice chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) that sells its dairy products under brand name 'Amul', reported PTI.

Since its start in 1973, this is for the first time that GCMMF created the post of vice-chairman by amending their by-laws recently.

Bharwad, MLA from Sehra constituency of Panchmahal district became the first vice chairman of the prestigious cooperative institution.

The election was conducted by the Prant Officer B S Patel in presence of chairman of all the 17 member unions, who represented their district milk unions in the state.

Bharwad's nomination was proposed by Rajkot Dairy's chairman Govind Ranpariya and supported by the chairman of Sarhad dairy in Kutch Valji Umbad. Chairman of the Sabarkantha District Cooperative Milk Producers Union (Sabar Dairy) Jethabhai Patel is currently the chairman of GCMMF.

GCMMF is considered as India's largest food products marketing organisation with an annual turnover of Rs 21,000 crore.

The member unions of GCMMF procure an average of 160 lac litres of milk everyday from 36 lac milk producers in 18,000 villages of the state.

 

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Crisis for entire agri exports: Assocham
Crisis for entire agri exports: Assocham
 

In 2015-2016, lowering the outlook for Indian exports to US$255-260 billion, recently ASSOCHAM maintained that the sector is in real crisis and has engulfed entire agri exports witnessing sharp falls.

The country’s merchandise exports in 2014-15 were US$310 billion and the ASSOCHAM had in September this year forecast the overseas shipments to be around US$265-268 billion. However, given the declines in the last few months, the chamber is revising its outlook downward, disagreeing with a pre-dominant government view as if there is no big problem in the sector.

During the period April-November 2015, total exports were US$174.3 billion with a decline of 18.5 per cent over corresponding period figure of US$213.8 billion.

“In fact, the November 2015 official data shows that out of 30 top commodities, 23 reported negative trend. As against the assertion that all is not that bad in sectors other than non-oil, non-gems and jewellery, the data clearly shows a crisis like situation in host of areas like marine products, leather and leather products, coffee, spices, cotton yarn-fabs-made ups, meat and dairy products, rice and chemicals,” said ASSOCHAM.

It also said, the chamber would agree more with the Mid-Year Economic Review, authored by chief economic adviser Arvind Subramanian than an assessment of commerce ministry regarding impact of the exports decline on GDP growth.

The chamber quoted the Mid–Year Review which said, “Declining exports seem to be predominantly determined by a decline in world demand. Regardless of the causes, the effect has been a drag on growth. This drag has been about 1.0 percentage point even relative to last year.”

Sunil Kanoria, President, ASSOCHAM said, “There is no point shying away from the crisis, if it is there. The answer lies in recognising the problem without sweeping it under the carpet and then finding a way out. After all, nobody in India or elsewhere, for that matter can be blamed for the global crash in demand.” 

He said it would also not be correct to take consolation in the fact that the exports have fallen marginally in rupee terms. “India’s Balance of Payment is calculated along with the Current Account Deficit in dollar terms and exports have a major contribution…thus cannot just take comfort in just about currency depreciation.”

In November, 2015 coffee exports were down by 10.82 per cent, spices by 15.75 per cent, meat dairy and poultry 19 per cent, marine products 10 per cent and rice down by 37 per cent. Thus, the meltdown is well spread, ASSOCHAM added.

 

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Nestle eyes double digit growth for Maggi
Nestle eyes double digit growth for Maggi
 

Nestle India is aggressively trying to increase the consumption of its flagship instant noodles brand eying double digit growth, said a top company executive.

It is also sharpening focus on digital media and pushing other products so that all categories contribute almost equally to the company's overall revenue, reported PTI.

"Results for the last two quarters of 2015 have been impacted by the Maggi Noodles issue. However, we are committed towards double digit (growth) that is triggered by actual volume consumption increase,” said Suresh Narayanan, chairman and managing director, Nestle India.

The Swiss major had taken a hit of Rs 450 crore including destroying over 30,000 tonnes of the instant noodles since June when it was banned because of alleged excessive lead content.

Maggi, which was re-launched in November after a 5-month ban, is currently available in over 700 towns and sold by 3 lakh small and large shopkeepers, said the company.

"We are investing significantly in the re-launch, and we will be ensuring that the consumer is aware that Maggi Noodles are safe to consume," Narayanan said.

The company is now simultaneously pushing growth in other categories such as milk products and chocolates, along with the re-launch of Maggi.

"We want to grow our business so that each category and brand contributes in more or less equal measure to the overall revenues of the firm. We are aggressively pushing growth in other categories such as milk products and chocolates," he said.

"Digital and social media is central to our brand-building process. We believe that big things happen for brands when these two are in synergy," he added.

The company is leveraging all the sales channels and had tied up with e-commerce player Snapdeal to push online pre-orders, which saw an off take of 60,000 units in the first five minutes.

Nestle India sold 3.3 crore units of Maggi in the first 10 days of its re-launch. The company has a digital acceleration team, which was responsible for the '

We Miss You Too' Maggi campaign and has also set up 24x7 toll-free consumer services in order to address consumer concerns. "For us, the concept is not just digital media but of competing in a digitally-connected age," he said.

 

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FMCG sector to grow $220-240 billion by 2025- Report
FMCG sector to grow $220-240 billion by 2025- Report
 

Smaller towns and cities are expected to contribute more in shaping future demand for the FMCG sector and the digital medium is increasingly going to play a key role in engaging and influencing consumers as the e-commerce channel’s contribution to the share of sales for FMCG companies is expected to become bigger, reported Business Line.

According to a CII-BCG white paper on the FMCG sector, growth in disposable income, increased urbanisation and the increase in the number of nuclear households are driving the growth of the Indian branded FMCG sector, which is pegged at about $65 billion and has been growing at a robust pace.

Nearly two-thirds of households in the country are nuclear households and at the same family income size, nuclear families spend more on FMCG than joint families, said Abheek Singhi, Senior Partner and Director, the Boston Consulting Group.

“The FMCG sector has been delivering far superior returns over the past few years compared to most other sectors. Our projections indicate that the sector will continue to grow by 13-14 per cent in the next 5-10 years and is likely to become a $220-240 billion industry by 2025,” Singhi added.

The CII-BCG white paper will be unveiled on Monday at the CII National FMCG summit, which will see top CEOs deliberating on the theme ‘Re-imagining FMCG in India’.

Shiv Shivakumar, Chairman, CII National Committee on FMCG 2015-16, & Chairman and CEO, PepsiCo India, said the FMCG sector is already a key driving force behind ‘Make in India’ and a bedrock of talent.

Talking about the regulatory framework, he said the industry has seen a lot of openness from the food processing industry and the FSSAI and are having a constant dialogue, which is progressing in the right direction.

He further says for industry leaders included food laws, food safety, having better working relationships with the regulatory authorities, one common market in terms of tax, initiatives to grow talent and a focus on newer distribution channels.

The white paper also indicates that companies will need to focus on tier-2 and tier-3 cities and rural regions as their contribution will be an important source of demand for the sector as more and more consumers move from the non-branded to the branded segment.

With the growing number of digitally influenced FMCG buyers, companies are expected to shift more and more marketing dollars to the digital media as share of sale from the e-commerce channel grows.

 

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Milk Mantra gets Suresh C Senapaty on Board as an Independent Director
Milk Mantra gets Suresh C Senapaty on Board as an Independent Director
 

RI Bureau

Milk Mantra, with its vision of creating truly pure functional dairy products has brought Suresh C Senapaty on board as an Independent Director.

Senapaty recently superannuated as CFO and Executive Director at Wipro where he spent 35 years working closely with Mr. Premji in managing growth and transitions to take Wipro to the position it is today.

Talking about his decision to join Milk Mantra, Senapaty said, “Milk Mantra's outlier and inclusive growth is an idea that excites me apart from the company being based in my home state. I am happy to join the Board and look forward to a meaningful engagement with Sri and his team to rapidly scale up the venture whilst building a strong governance framework."

Following his superannuation, this is one of Senapaty’s selective board appointments.

Milk Mantra is India’s 1st VC funded agro food start-up which has raised 3 series funding from Fidelity Growth Partners and Aavishkar VC and is fast evolving as an exciting functional dairy food brand in the country. Its 2 flagship brands Milky Moo and MooShake have a strong consumer connect based on the quality of the product and the challenger brand marketing approach.

With a 100% CAGR over past years and on track to reach Rs.125crs revenue this year, Milk Mantra has expanded its portfolio of products beyond Odisha to Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ranchi. It's unique Ethical Milk Sourcing network has grown to 35,000 farmers.

Shedding more light on this decision, Srikumar Misra, Founder & CEO, Milk Mantra, said, “I am very pleased to welcome Suresh Senapaty to our Board. There is a strong alignment in our conscious capitalist philosophy of building a scalable brand and venture and Senapaty's mindset of bringing his deep experience to an organisation which can be fast growing and yet create significant meaningful impact across the value chain both on the consumer and farmer side."  

 

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India-bound Dabur products seized at Nepal
India-bound Dabur products seized at Nepal
 

Seventy seven India-bound cargo containers containing products of Dabur Nepal were confiscated by Nepalese authorities today after receiving a tip-off about their quality, said officials.

The Commission for the Abuse of Authority (CIAA) confiscated products of Dabur Nepal a subsidiary of Dabur India -that were being exported to India from Sirsiya Dry Port in Birgunj, reported PTI.

Dabur Nepal is a subsidiary of Dabur India.

A team of CIAA officials has started an investigation, reported The Kathmandu Post.

Commission DSP Himalaya Shrestha informed that the CIAA is inspecting the quality and expiry dates of the Dabur products after receiving information regarding the same.

Meanwhile, another CIAA team has reached at Bara-based Dabur Nepal factory in Tokani, Rampur.

Devi Prasad Bhandari, Costums chief said that 77 out of 90 containers with Dabur Nepal products have reached the port.

 

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Goa Dairy not threatened by Amul
Goa Dairy not threatened by Amul
 

Goa Dairy's managing committee says it does not feel threatened with the entry of Amul into Goa's retail market, reported TNN.

Baburao Fatto Desai, Goa Dairy chairman said that there would be no problem if Amul milk launches its operations full-fledged in Goa.

"Goan consumers trust Goa Dairy milk and they will prefer the milk marketed by Goa Dairy. Amul is already in the Goan market but it could not affect the sale of Goa Dairy," he said.

While the Goa state cooperative milk producers' union, popularly known as Goa Dairy is a premier milk supplier in the Goan retail market with a sale of about 85,000 litres of milk per day among a daily consumption of about 1 lakh litres of milk in Goa.

The state has about 175 milk-supply societies and of them, 165 societies are members of Goa Dairy that supply dairy milk collected from milk-producing farmers daily. It is suspected that Amul may procure milk from local dairy farmers on competitive rates. Fatto Desai refutes this theory.

"Goan farmers are in contract with Goa Dairy and they cannot supply milk to any other group," he said.

A former Goa Dairy functionary feels that tough competition lies ahead for it. He opined that the state cooperative dairy has to work very hard to sustain itself if it has to compete with the national milk major.

"Goa Dairy now thinks about profitability but it will have to put more efforts for sustainability after Amul's full-fledged entry in the market," said  Madhav Sahakari, former chairman and presently a director of the dairy.

 

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Punjab receives 55 investment proposals for food processing units
Punjab receives 55 investment proposals for food processing units
 

After the Punjab government announces tax sops for food processing sector, the state has received 55 investments proposals involving outlay of Rs 8,000 crore only for setting up food processing units.

The MoUs were signed in the presence of Union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, reported PTI.

In a major decision, Punjab government has announced exempting inputs of food processing sector from taxes to make the state as food processing hub of the country.

“Punjab contributes more than 40 per cent of the central procurement of wheat, 26 per cent of the central procurement of rice, 75 per cent of total production of kinnows and oranges, and 7.5 per cent of the total milk production in the country,” shared Badal.

Further, agricultural sector plays a pivotal role in boosting India's economy with about 21per cent of GSDP being contributed by Agricultural and allied sectors against an all India figure of 14 per cent.

Badal apprised the participants that Punjab heralded the first Green Revolution in the country, and has made rapid strides in improving the quality and quantity of the food grain production.

She said that endowed with high fertility, abundant natural resources and good quality of soil, the state enjoys high yield for various agricultural produce.

She said Food processing was the focus area of investment in Punjab, and concerted efforts were being made by the government to facilitate big investments in food processing industry.

The Union Minister also said Punjab has a strong base of a pre-existing ecosystem for the Agro & Food Processing sector, which provides it an edge over other states.

She said that now Punjab is looking forward to enhance the capabilities of this vital sector through the adoption of modern technologies for food processing, and ensuring significant linkages across the value chain.

The state is keen to clear the way for conducive regulatory environment of total transparency for smooth operations, she said.

 

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FSSAI to come up with new regulations for food security
FSSAI to come up with new regulations for food security
 

The government will come out with new set of regulations for food product approvals in the next few months, a move aimed at soothing the nerves of food processing industry rattled by the ban on Maggi noodles.

The "right kind" of regulations are being framed that would remove the difficulties faced by food processing industry in getting approvals for launching new products in the market, Food Processing Secretary Ranglal Jamuda said.

"FSSAI is in the process of having the right kind of regulations to set the house in order, in another couple of months whatever difficulty we have in getting product approvals or diversifying products or coming out with new products to fulfill demand in the market, possibly that kind of situation will substantially change," Jamuda said at an Assocham event on 'Financing Food Processing Business'.

"All the operational difficulties that have upset us for last couple of months will be taking good shape," he added.

In August this year, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) decided to engage legal assistance for formulation of regulations, following the judgments of various courts relating to food safety.

After the ban imposed by the FSSAI on Maggi noodles in June, Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal had said that the food regulator created an environment of fear in the industry and favoured streamlining of product approval system.

FSSAI had in June this year banned Maggi noodles saying it was "unsafe and hazardous" for consumption after finding lead levels beyond permissible limits.

Nestle India had withdrawn Maggi noodles from the market and challenged the ban in the Bombay High Court.

In August, the court lifted the nation-wide ban imposed by the Indian food regulators on Maggi noodles but ordered a fresh test of samples of the product in three independent labs across India.

Last week, Nestle India had said that all samples of Maggi cleared tests conducted by three laboratories, as mandated by the Bombay High Court. It is now planning to relaunch the product soon.

Yesterday, Karnataka and Gujarat lifted the ban on manufacturing and sale of Nestle India's popular instant food brand, paving the way for Maggi noodles' return.

The Secretary also asked the industry to utilise the Rs 2,000 crore corpus under the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for lending to food processing industries in mega food parks and designated food parks.

"So far, 7 applications have been sanctioned worth total amount of Rs 255 crore, if we do not utilise this fund by the end of this financial year, it would be very difficult to ask the Finance Ministry to extend this facility in coming years," he added.

 

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FSSAI needs to streamline provisions, focus on innovations: Harsimrat Kaur Badal
FSSAI needs to streamline provisions, focus on innovations: Harsimrat Kaur Badal
 

Expressing concerns over "fear" in the food processing sector following the regulatory steps taken by the FSSAI, Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal today said the regulator needs to streamline its provisions and stress on innovations in the sector.

“A lot needs to be done as the FSSAI has created environment of fear in the industry. It needs to streamline its regulations as its steps are stopping innovations in the processing sector," said Badal.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an agency established under the Food Safety and Standards Act.

The growth of food processing sector is very vital as it ensures food security and better remuneration to farmers for their produce, the Minister added.

Speaking at the conference on 'Driving Make in India in Food Processing sector' organised by the CII, Harsimrat said the government is keen and committed for growth of domestic food processing sector as well create a environment for its progress.

She also mentioned about a task force formed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on her request for the growth of the sector.

The task force would analyse the various existing impediments and bottlenecks and provide expert guidance on key policy interventions to her ministry and states also, she added.

"I would even create a special committee within my ministry, with the representatives of the CII and the respective state heads in this task force as the members, in order to resolve the issues and help the food processing industry realise its desired potential," the Minister said.

The FSSAI has a mandate to look into the quality standards of food articles and regulate their manufacture, storage, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for consumption.

Last month, the FSSAI had banned Nestle's Maggi saying it was 'unsafe and hazardous' after tests found presence of lead and Monosodium glutamate above permissible limits.

Following the Maggi fiasco, FSSAI had ordered testing of noodles, pastas and macaroni brands such as Top Ramen, Foodles and Wai Wai sold and manufactured by seven companies, to check compliance with the norms.

 

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Food Park in Assam to provide employment to over 6,000 people: Harsimrat Kaur Badal
Food Park in Assam to provide employment to over 6,000 people: Harsimrat Kaur Badal
 

Inaugurating a food park in Assam, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the Union Minister for food processing said that the Assam park will leverage an investment of about Rs 250 crore and will provide employment to 6,000 people.

The food park sanctioned by the Centre at Nalbari was inaugurated by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi along with Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju and Harsimrat Badal, according to an official release.

"The Mega Food Park will leverage an additional investment of about Rs 250 crore in 30-35 food processing units in the Park and generate a turnover of about Rs 450-500 crore annually," added the minister.

According to the food minister the park will also provide direct and indirect employment to 6,000 people and will benefit about 25,000-30,000 farmers.

The park has been set up with an investment of Rs 76 crore along with a dry warehouse with 10,000 tonnes capacity, cold storages of 3,000 tonnes and common effluent treatment plant, and quality control labs among others.

There is also a proposal to set up 6 primary processing centres (PPCs) at Nagaon, Badarpur, Tinsukia, Barapani, Krishnai and Kajalgaon which will provide facilities for primary processing and storage near the farms.

The Centre provides financial assistance of up to Rs 50 crore for setting up Mega Food Parks for creation of modern infrastructure facilities for food processing along the value chain from farm to consumer.

 

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Cargill to start operation of its Rs 600 crore corn milling plant in October
Cargill to start operation of its Rs 600 crore corn milling plant in October
 

By Nusra

Cargill India, the Indian arm of Cargill global, is working on a new corn milling plant at Karnataka which will be functional from October this year.

The group which has tied up with global farmers and brought them to India to work in the food processing sector which is one of the fastest growing industry in the India with almost 60 per cent of Indian focusing on agriculture.

“We have started working with the farmers globally; there are about 5000 farmers and families who are now engaged in improving farm practices, farm meals and this interest to work with the farmers comes from our investment and stake in that area,” shared Siraj Chaudhary, MD, Cargill India.

The global agri major is presently selling vanaspati and edible oils under different brands -- Nature Fresh, Sweekar, Gemini, Rath and Sunflower Vanaspati.

Cargill India has an annual turnover of about Rs 9,000 crore and is targeting at a production of over 300,000 tonnes modified starch for the consuming processed food and pharma industries.

“We are also managing the agri supply chain including the corn supply chain, feed millers, wheat supply chain for food and we also work closely with the dairy and poultry industry,” added Chaudhary.

 

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