Amid mounting scrutiny of processed food within the nation, a senior official at the Ministry of Food Processing Industries on Wednesday encouraged the industry to align itself with international standards, even if it meant “compromising a little” on profit margins.
“At times, we assert to meet Indian standards, but there exists an international benchmark, which is better. Occasionally, profit margins might need to be slightly reduced to adhere to them,” stated Anita Parveen, the secretary at the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, during her address at the 15th edition of FICCI Foodworld India.
“Why should we settle for anything less when Europe has a food quality standard with zero sugar in a product?” questioned Parveen.
In April, the Swiss investigative firm Public Eye found that Nestle, a global packaged foods corporation, used sugar in the form of sucrose or honey in its Nido & Cerelac line of foods sold in Asia, Africa, & Latin America.
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Discussing the evolving consumption trends in the nation, Prashant Peres, co-chair of the FICCI food processing committee and managing director of Kellanova for India and South Asia, highlighted that consumers are increasingly conscious of nutrition and nourishment. They are actively pursuing products that offer benefits without sacrificing taste.
“It’s paradoxical that organizations must navigate finding the right balance to offer consumers,” he remarked, further stating, “Aspects such as protein content and preference for low sugar will likely increase in the coming years, requiring us to strike a balance.”
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Peres mentioned that they have decreased added sugar in their products by nearly 22% since 2019. Additionally, he noted that advancements in technology will assist companies in further reducing sugar content in their products.
Speaking to the stakeholders, the Secretary reiterated that the industry must prioritize producing quality products, emphasizing that ultra-processed food should not be a source of diseases.
“Processed foods will remain prevalent and continue to be consumed, but let’s ensure they aren’t scrutinized for their quality,” she remarked.
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