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PITF 2025: Tradition meets technology as India’s food future takes center stage in Mumbai
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Saturday, 29 November, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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 The sixth edition of the Processed Indian Traditional Foods (PITF) Conference brought together top voices in food science, nutrition, and industry leadership in Mumbai this week, presenting a compelling picture of how India’s traditional foods are being reshaped through innovation, research, and wellness-driven product development.
Hosted by F1rst—business associate of Switzerland-based GIRACT the conference at Radisson MIDC explored how traditional foods are breaking out of their regional boundaries and entering the global market with strong scientific backing. The theme for 2025, “Health, Wellness and Innovations as New Business Opportunities,” tied together discussions on nutrition security, modern R&D, and the commercial scalability of heritage foods.
The event opened with an address by Dr. Krishna Methekar, Joint Director and Central Licensing Authority (Greater Mumbai) at FSSAI, who set a firm tone for the industry’s future.
He said, “India has a remarkable legacy of traditional foods, but legacy alone is not enough and to succeed globally, we need strong quality standards, transparent systems, and a scientific approach that ensures safety without diluting authenticity.”
Dr. Methekar added that India’s growing influence in global food supply chains demands “responsible innovation and consumer trust at every step.”
Eight expert speakers enriched the dialogue with high-impact insights:
- Dr. Ankita Marwaha (PepsiCo India) – on science-driven pathways to tackle malnutrition
- Dr. Priya Karkera (Danone India) – on strategies to address widespread iron deficiency
- Dr. Vidyashankar Satyakumar (AWL Agri Business Ltd.) – on advancing India’s food R&D ecosystem
- Mahendra Barve (ITC Ltd.) – on reinventing confectionery for the health-conscious consumer
- Swarn Singh (Kellanova) – on the relevance of ancient Indian food logic in modern nutrition
- Vivek Arora (ATNi) – on strengthening food systems to improve nutrition outcomes
- Monojit Indra (TechnoServe) – on scaling fortified traditional foods through partnerships
- Arun Om Lal (NIFTEM-K) – on the transformative role of nutraceuticals in wellness-driven foods
Collectively, the sessions highlighted a rapidly evolving sector where ancient culinary wisdom is meeting cutting-edge food science. Speakers emphasised the rising credibility of India’s traditional foods, the growing demand for functional and fortified products, and the urgent need for collaborative industry ecosystems that strengthen India’s food value chain.
The PITF Innovation Awards 2025 recognised two standout products that exemplify this shift. Marico’s Saffola Masala Millets – Masala Delight was awarded Most Innovative Product of the Year, while Kapiva’s Dia Free Juice won Most Nutritional Product of the Year. Both products underscore the growing synergy between traditional ingredients and modern nutritional science.
Looking Ahead to PITF-07 in 2026
With the successful close of the 2025 edition, F1rst is pleased to announce that the next International Business Conference on Processed Indian Traditional Foods (PITF-07) will be held on 27 November 2026 in Bengaluru. Entries and sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 edition are now open. F1rst extends heartfelt thanks to all participants—industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and students—whose engagement made this edition impactful and forward-looking.
Entries and sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 edition are now open.
F1rst extends heartfelt thanks to all participants—industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, and students—whose engagement made this edition impactful and forward-looking.
About F1rst
F1rst, in association with GIRACT, Geneva, offers comprehensive market intelligence, strategic consulting, and analytics across the food and non-food sectors. The organization supportsglobal clients in identifying growth opportunities, advancing product innovation, and navigating evolving consumer and regulatory landscapes.
Website: www.firstmr.com
Email: info@firstmr.com
Phone: +91 91452 92414
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