Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union minister for food processing industries, has stressed on the need for a demand-driven policy on food and the role of big reforms such as GST (Goods and Services Tax) to give a boost to the food processing industry and thereby mitigating challenges such as employment and food security. She was speaking at the 9th edition of FICCI Foodworld India held at FICCI Federation House, New Delhi, on Thursday.
“A change in the consumer’s mindset about health and nutritional aspect of packaged food is critical for driving further growth. At the grass-root level, village level entrepreneurship will empower the farmers and lead to sustainable growth in food production. A demand for skilled manpower from the industry will further push the workforce towards gaining required skills,” she said.
Badal emphasised upon the need for greater clarity on the regulations that were governing the food businesses.
Later, a FICCI-PwC Knowledge Paper titled ‘Winning consumer trust,’was released on the occasion.
The paper captures consumers’ perception on quality and safety of processed food in India. It suggests that consumers are becoming more conscious of food quality and safety, however, their ability to make informed purchase decisions for processed food products is limited by their lack of awareness on food safety and quality parameters. Also efforts are required from both industry and regulatory bodies to streamline the food safety and quality landscape in India.
The event dwelled upon various aspects of food industry that included Need of Innovation, Quality and Winning the Trust of Consumer, amongst others wherein many industry representatives took part. The event was supported by ministry of food processing industries and food industry. More than 250 delegates attended the programme.
