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FSW cites tech, infrastructure & trained manpower to combat food safety and supply chain transparency
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Saturday, 22 June, 2024, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Nandita Vijayasimha, Bengaluru
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Food Safety Works cites technology, infrastructure & trained manpower to combat food safety and supply chain transparency. The issue of food safety is critical with several challenges to maintain sterility and preventing contamination.
The consequences of a lapse in food safety are multifaceted and can have far-reaching impacts on both the financial viability of a business and the health and trust of consumers. Therefore, it is essential for companies to prioritise and maintain rigorous food safety standards to mitigate these risks.
According to Sarika Agarwal, founder & MD, Food Safety Works, and convenor of the day-long India Food Safety Conclave, knowledge, regulations and academia are the corner stones of Good Manufacturing Practices that lead to high quality processes.
Food safety is constantly evolving and is indeed in a dynamic phase. It is more than just clean products, and hence, the need of the hour is training to create an awareness on the testing methods which are continually advancing. There is considerable attention to food safety practices and traceability. Consumers are increasingly educated about food safety issues and demand transparency from food producers. This awareness drives improvements in food safety practices across the industry.
Depinderjit Singh Sachdeva, CEO & executive director, WeiKFiELD Foods, in his keynote address, delving on the theme of the conclave ‘Connecting India for Safe Food, said, following the recent cases of food product adulteration, India now needs to be the vanguard of safety in food.
Food safety is the foundation to nourish families. We need to examine the issue of food safety from the commercial stand point. It is essential to recognise that for any initiative taken up on a large scale must be underpinned on solid business rationale. "Drawing from extensive research, experience and from the helm of enterprises good companies have identified the fundamental recipe for success is food safety. This includes synergy of meticulously crafted processes along with the robust organisational ethos powered by apt individuals are a must for this success. These components form the very essence of any enterprise," he added.
Noting that safety is not a mere department in the food industry but it is the core value and mind-set that permeates every facet of the organisation. There was a big food safety issue in the international markets by two Indian companies raising quality concerns on the spices’ exports from India. This has cast doubts on the entire food industry on the safety practices. India is a global spice power hub accounting for 12 per cent of global trade, exports of over $4 billion across 200 countries. With another staggering USD12 billion domestic sales, making it the world’s largest consumer of spices.
Industry of food in India must rigorously test and confirm their processes. These efforts are more than a formality but is the backbone of due diligence guaranteeing high standards in every aspect of the supply chain said Sachdeva.
Dr Lalitha Gowda, former Chief Scientist, CSIR-CFTRI, Mysuru, Dr Mridul Salgame former member, FSSAI, Dr Shashikanth Kunigal, ex-corporate quality head, Britannia, Dr Balkumar Marthi, dean - innovation & entrepreneurship, GITAM University, Srinivas KR, VP & head –Quality Assurance, Metro Cash and Carry India, also highlighted the importance of food safety.
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