New Delhi: Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan on Friday said there are huge business opportunities in this sector and asked food companies to focus on making quality products that can serve consumers globally.
Addressing 'Indian Healthy Snacking Summit', he said the government in the last 12 years has taken various steps for the growth in the food processing sector. This includes allowing 100 per cent FDI in the sector.
Paswan noted that the food processing sector can help in enhancing farmers' income, create employment opportunities and reduce wastage.
The event was organised here by Noida-based food company Farmley.
Expressing concern over rising cases of obesity especially among young generation, he said, "There is a great need of healthy snacks. We need to focus a lot on this emerging food segment."
Also read | UCC bill to be passed in Bengal assembly in August: Senior functionary
Paswan stressed on promoting healthy lifestyle.
The minister also talked about negative narrative being created by social media influencers that "processed food is bad".
He said there is a need to counter this narrative as the same is not based on scientific evidence.
Paswan informed that his ministry has set up a committee involving all stakeholders to ensure that consumers get right information.
He also mentioned about the challenge of misleading advertisements.
Also read | Ethanol 'experiment': Govt moves to contain fallout
Paswan asked food companies not to compromise on quality and stated that he feels bad when any Indian consignment fails on quality parameters.
"Indian standards should be recognised as global standards," he said.
Paswan also asked food companies to create awareness among farmers about natural as well as organic farming to protect soil health.
Farmers should be encouraged for crop diversification to meet global food requirements, he said.
Highlighting the government measures, Paswan said a lot has been done in the past 12 years but there is more to be done.
"It's a very long way to go. We need to work in every vertical of the food processing sector," he said.
Stating that there is a huge scope in the processing sector, the minister said the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) helps startups in this sector.
