Emphasis was laid on India’s untapped potential in food processing trade as the country constituted just 6-7% of global food processing sector by Dr Harshdeep Kamble, commissioner, FDA, Maharashtra, while inaugurating the 10th edition of Fi & Hi India trade show, the B2B platform for food & health ingredients,on Monday at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai.
Dr Kamble observed, “Thus industry needs to be further tapped against the global landscape.” He felt that the present environment was conducive for “Make in India” in this sector, backed by innovation and technology.
Kamble mentioned, "Currently in the country, FDA is perceived as a regulator or action-taking organisation. But we would like to change this scenario and showcase ourselves as facilitators. We would be soon coming up with "Institute of Training and Research for Food Safety." The institute would be constructed in 25,000 sq ft area where workshop would be held on daily basis for licensed FBOs, hotels and restaurant operators. The workshop can be attended by paying certain prescribed charges. This will serve as good platform for connecting regulator and FBOs where there will be exchange of ideas and joint decisions can be taken. This plan is submitted to the Central government and we are awaiting approval."
Prabodh Halde, president, AFSTI, and Ajit Singh, president, HADSA, were among those present on the occasion. The show brings together on one platform, Indian food industry's leading decision-makers, experts, buyers, producers and suppliers.
Singh in his opening speech, said, “India has traditionally been a hub for herbs, food ingredients and other raw material. With an event like this and 15 countries participating, the companies should leverage and connect to people as much as possible.”
Addressing the gathering, Yogesh Mudras, acting managing director, UBM India Pvt. Ltd, said, “The food processing industry in India has witnessed rapid augmentation owing to changing socio-economic demographics. The same has led to increased awareness pertaining to the quality standards of food products and consequently, focus on the superiority of ingredients that go into the making of these finished products. UBM India’s objective for the 10th edition of Fi & Hi India is to offer an international showcase of such ingredients and in-turn, help leverage India’s wide ranging and large raw material base for food processing industries.”
He stated, “The event is growing at 20% per year and this year there are approximately 160 exhibitors and we are excepting double next year.”
Over the next two days, the show will have a series of panel discussions on Global Food Trends: How will they Play Out in South East Asia?; Cost of Non-Compliance and Way Forward; Role of Health Supplements in Healthcare; and so on.
After the inauguration, the first session of the event started with
the topic ‘Compliance for Ingredients Industry.’ The speakers for the seminar were Subha Nishtala, head, QA, Al Kabeer Exports Pvt. Ltd, who spoke on Managing Quality with Safety; and Dr Nilesh Amritkar, director, Envirocare Labs Pvt. Ltd, spoke on Zero Tolerance.
The panel discussions / seminars were organised in association with AFSTI, All India Food Processors’ Association (AIFPA) and Health Food & Dietary Supplements Association (HADSA). The on-site seminars will be attended by industry leaders who will highlight innovations in food ingredients and opportunities in nutraceuticals. The event is supported by ministry of food processing industries, Government of India.
As a special engagement during the show, a parallel-running two-day workshop on Bakery Modernization - Putting the Icing on your Bakery Business is being organised by UBM India. Workshops happening for the first time are conducted by Assocom Institute of Bakery Technology & Management (AIBTM), a comprehensive teaching, training and research centre specifically for baking technology and allied disciplines. The workshop will include both seminars and demonstrations.
On the third day, a bakery competition called ‘The healthy cookie baking competition’ is being held. This will be open to anyone who works or has worked professionally as a baker or in the baking, cake,pastry or chocolate industry. Registrations for this competition are accepted on a first-come-first-served basis.
Fi India has been consistently growing in size and depth, attracting industry leaders and key exhibitors including Ace International, Piramal Healthcare, Calpro Foods Pvt. Ltd, Ingredion India Pvt. Ltd, Sonarome, ADM Agro, G C Chemie Pharmie Ltd, Mintel, Naturex, and Roquette, amongst others.
The 11th edition of Fi Hi India will be held in August 2016, in Delhi, with organisers expecting double the number of exhibitors and visitors and active participation by government representatives in the national capital. Henceforth, Fi Hi, an annual event, will be held alternatively between Mumbai and Delhi.
