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World Food Day 2022 was organized by the Nitte University Technology Enabling Center (NUTEC) at Paneer campus with an interactive discussion session with food industry representatives and other stakeholders on 18 October, 2022. World Food Day marks the foundation of Food and Agriculture Organisation of United nations and the theme of 2022 World Food Day was “Leave no one behind” in the march towards better food production, better nutrition, better environment and better life. The event was organized in partnership with Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), FSSAI, MSME Development and Facilitation Office (DFO), South Regional Office of International Federation of Inventor’s Association (IFIA) and partner institutions. The discussion was around four major themes (a) Technological needs of food industries (b) Food processing machineries (c) food safety and quality (d) regulation and compliance. Dr. Iddya Karunasagar, Advisor Nitte University and Member, Scientific Committee, FSSAI coordinated the meeting. He explained about the food technology focus of the Nitte Technology Enabling Center funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. He presented case studies of Nitte faculty developing few food related technologies, two of which have already been taken up by entrepreneurs for commercialization. He further informed the participants, the role NUTEC could play in meeting the technological and service needs of the food industry in the Region.

Mr. Ananthesh Prabhu, Vice President of KCCI pointed out the need to develop eco-friendly packaging materials required by the food industry and the need for technologies to recycle plastic waste generated by the industry. Mr. Ahmed Mudasser, Director, KCCI highlighted the need for developing indigenous food processing machineries. Mr. Devaraj, Joint Director MSME DFO explained about various schemes available for partial reimbursement of costs incurred by MSMEs towards patents both national as well as international and trademark protection. Food industry representatives sought clarifications from FSSAI regarding State and Central licensing and labeling issues, particularly organic labeling. Dr. Divya and Dr. Preethy from FSSAI provided the clarifications to the industries. Representatives from seafood industry pointed out the need for food testing laboratory and KCCI representatives also supported this request. Dr. Iddya Karunasagar explained about schemes under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana to support setting up of food testing laboratories that can be availed by private sector. He assured technical support from NUTEC for setting up food testing laboratories. NUTEC partner institutions, Canara Engineering College and St Joseph Engineering College spoke about the capabilities of their institutions to contribute towards development of food processing machineries. Mr. Jeevan Saldana, past president, CII spoke about his experience with food processing machinery indigenization and developing high quality equipment that are currently being exported to several countries. Mrs Preethy Nayak spoke about her experience as a Startup to bring the product of cold pressed fruit juices to the market and the challenges she had to face. Mr Vishwas from IFIA offered to work with NUTEC to support academia and industry in the development of innovative products in food sector. All the participants and stakeholders appreciated the efforts of NUTEC to bring industry and academia together and hoped that this would help making progress in innovation and commercialization of novel products.

Workshop Date : 2022-10-18

Venue : DST TEC

Last updated 2022-10-22 06:44:58