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CFTRI mulling over plant to prepare food for supply during disasters
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Tuesday, 07 May, 2019, 13 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Bengaluru
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The Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) is thinking about developing a dedicated plant on its premises here to prepare foods to be supplied during natural disasters. It has proposed to develop certain foods with a shelf life of at least six months.
In this regard, the Mysuru-based institute has approached the National Disaster Management Authority, and communicated its plans to set up a stand-alone unit provided the required funds are handed over.
The institute is known to chop into the support on a regular basis to supply relief foods during calamities since 2004.
Even during the floods in Kerala and Kodagu last year, adequate relief foods were prepared at four of its pilot food plants. Now these existing plants are facilities for the demonstration of its various food technologies that are looking to be commercialised by any promising industry.
“We intent to keep particular foods ready for immediate distribution whenever disasters strike. Ready-to-eat foods with a shelf life of six months can be prepared in advance and kept ready for distribution. No matter if they remain unused. Foods can be distributed instantly instead of waiting until they are prepared. It can be part of disaster management as well, minimising the response time,” said K S M S Raghavarao, director, CFTRI.
“We are in the process of developing a slew of nutrition-rich foods to tackle deficiencies among children, pregnant woman and lactating mothers. This includes a pliable sweet rice, product, most suitable for infants and children because of its taste, softness and nutrition value. It can be prepared easily and is seen to be an important food item that can be supplied to children in affected areas during disasters,” he added.
“Further, in the rice-consuming states, the institute has researched on foods appropriate for supply based on regional preferences. For instance, using rice, the scientists at CFTRI prepared instant poha for the Fani cyclone victims in Odisha. The product came about after it prepared this and offered it to victims of Kerala flood,” said Rao.
Representatives from the CFTRI Department of Protein Chemistry and Grain Science Technology said the packaging was such that the food could be eaten by adding water into the pouch.
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