The Plant-Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA) has called on the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to ease restrictions on the use of the term “milk” on packaging for plant-based dairy alternatives. Speaking at a summit in New Delhi, PBFIA Executive Director Sanjay Sethi emphasized the need for uniform nomenclature, despite the current requirement for disclaimers stating “this is not dairy” on cartons.
Sethi urged the FSSAI’s chief executive officer (CEO) to engage with the industry, fostering collaboration and supporting startups and product innovation against larger players. He proposed the establishment of “Plant Protein Clusters” across states to facilitate collaboration between institutes, startups, and the government.
In response, FSSAI CEO G. Kamala Vardhana Rao encouraged the industry to raise public awareness about plant-based diets. He highlighted the term “flexitarian,” describing individuals who primarily consume plant-based proteins while occasionally enjoying meat and dairy. Rao also commended the industry’s efforts and Sethi’s support for plant-based startups, praising the Cluster initiative.
Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the importance of technology for voluntary productions and investments in large-scale exports to add value-added plant products to the market.