The Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA) has urged the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to reconsider restrictions on the usage of the term ‘milk’ in product labeling. At a recent summit, Sanjay Sethi, Executive Director of PBFIA, called upon FSSAI to adopt a more standardized approach to labeling practices. Despite the current mandate for a ‘this is not dairy’ disclaimer on packaging, Sethi emphasized the importance of uniform nomenclature.
Sethi urged the CEO of FSSAI to actively engage with the industry, facilitating dialogue and collaboration to bolster support for startups and foster innovation in product development, particularly in competition against larger corporations.
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He suggested the establishment of ‘Plant Protein Clusters’ in various states to promote collaboration among educational institutes, startups, and government entities.
Speaking at the event, FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao urged the industry to enhance public awareness. He shared his astonishment upon discovering the term ‘flexitarian,’ which refers to individuals who mainly consume plant-based proteins while occasionally incorporating meat and dairy into their diets.
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Referring to an ICMR report, Rao highlighted that the protein content in pulses is comparable to that in meat products. He praised the industry’s endeavors and expressed gratitude for Sethi’s backing of plant-based startups, commending the Cluster initiative.
Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, emphasized the importance of technology in encouraging voluntary production and fostering investments in large-scale exports to enhance the market value of plant-based products.
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