India Pursues Nutrition Security in Food Processing Sector
Shri Chirag Paswan, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, has called for a strategic roadmap to advance India’s food processing and nutraceutical sectors. Speaking at the ASSOCHAM conference titled ‘NutriBharat 2026’, he underscored the need for the industry to align its goals with the national vision of transforming the country into a developed nation by 2047. Paswan urged stakeholders to establish clear milestones over the next one, five, and ten years, collaborating closely with policymakers and regulators to fully realize the sector’s potential.
Highlighting India’s transition from food scarcity to food security, the minister emphasized the next step: nutrition security. “Our aim is to ensure that future generations are healthy and free from malnutrition,” he stated, noting the critical role of the food processing industry in providing safe, nutritious, and high-quality food products that enhance the nation’s nutrition ecosystem.
Maintaining Global Standards
Paswan warned that maintaining global standards and quality assurance is essential; even a single rejected shipment at an international port could damage the country’s hard-earned reputation. He urged industry participants to prioritize quality, while also fostering innovation, responsible manufacturing, and stronger partnerships between industry, regulators, and research institutions.
India as a Global Food Basket
According to the minister, India is poised to become a “global food basket,” leveraging its robust agricultural foundation, expanding food processing capabilities, and growing international trade relations. He stressed that achieving this vision necessitates a collective effort, characterized by innovation and unwavering commitment to quality and consumer confidence.
Collaborative Vision from Industry Leaders
Other notable speakers at the conference echoed Paswan’s sentiments regarding the shift towards nutrition security. Nirmal K. Minda, President of ASSOCHAM, discussed the urgent need to tackle micronutrient deficiencies and health concerns related to modern lifestyles through stronger collaboration and coherent policy alignment. Takayuki Hagiwara, FAO Representative in India, emphasized the increasing global relevance of nutraceuticals in filling nutritional gaps and advocated for reliable innovative agri-food systems.
Vivek Chandra, Chairman of ASSOCHAM’s Food Processing & Value Addition Council, reaffirmed India’s potential to be a competitive hub for processed foods tailored to national nutrition priorities. Dr. Alka Rao from FSSAI pointed out the significance of establishing science-based regulations that align nutraceuticals with global standards, while Vikram Kelkar, Managing Director of Hexagon Nutrition Ltd., highlighted the nation’s ability to innovate in the nutraceutical field by integrating traditional knowledge and enhanced research capabilities.
Launching ‘NutriBharat@2047’
During the conference, a joint knowledge paper titled ‘NutriBharat@2047 – India’s Nutritional Transition through Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods’ was unveiled, advocating for a shift from a food-security mindset to a comprehensive ‘nutrition for all’ approach. The event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and global organizations to discuss innovative regulatory frameworks, research collaboration, and global opportunities for India’s nutraceutical and functional food sectors.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
