Anita Praveen, Secretary of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, has emphasized the need for India’s food processing sector to align with international standards and highlighted the importance of moving beyond traditional local dishes like fafda and paratha to cater to a global palate.
Praveen stressed that the Indian food processing industry must innovate and adapt to meet the tastes and quality expectations of international consumers if it aims to increase its export footprint. “We have been relying only on supplying Fafda and Paratha. But the time has come to look at international taste and start manufacturing products that appeal to everyone’s taste the world over,” she remarked.
The Indian food processing industry is currently the second-largest employer in the country, following the textile sector. Praveen underlined that advancing the industry’s standards could significantly boost farmers’ incomes and enhance the country’s economic landscape.
The secretary urged private sector players to prioritize not only the quantity but also the quality of their products. She pointed out that some multinational companies offer products with zero sugar in Europe but have different standards for the Indian market. “If Europe can have food quality that has zero sugar, why do we have to have 3% at all? We have to move to an area where we are cleared of any such allegation,” she noted.
Recent reports have raised concerns about companies adopting varied standards across different markets, a practice that has been criticized for compromising health and quality. Praveen’s statements suggest a push towards uniformity in quality standards to meet both domestic and international benchmarks.
India’s current food exports largely consist of basic products that are either frozen or dried and packed. She highlighted a significant gap in the market for value-added products, which the Indian food processing sector could capitalize on. “We are only less than 3% as far as global food exports are concerned, and of that, the processed food is even less, I suppose,” she said, advocating for a stronger focus on quality and value addition.
The food industry needs to meet higher standards, even if it means cutting profit margins slightly. “The sector has to be more responsible. Companies say that they meet Indian standards, which is okay, but we have international standards that are better. So Praveen also urged companies to work closely with domestic suppliers to ensure that their products meet stringent quality requirements. She cited recent instances where consignments of Indian masala were stopped in Singapore and Hong Kong for containing banned substances, stressing the need for better compliance and quality control.
“We have to ensure that what leaves our shores does not go as a product from your company but is going from India,” Praveen added, underscoring the importance of maintaining a positive global reputation for Indian products.