Plan to start course in food technology under study

Meet:Delegates at the inauguration of the Indian Convention of Food Scientists and Technologists in Mysore on Thursday.

It aims to address skills shortage in sector

The Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) is planning to start a one-year certificate course in food technology.

According to Ram Rajashekaran, director of the institute, the course aims to address the problem of skills shortage in the food technology and food safety sector. The prospects of the food processing industry were bright and large investments were expected, but skilled manpower was an issue, he explained.

He added that the institute was planning to introduce an exclusive course for people from underprivileged sections of society so that they could be employable.

Food safety

Prof. Rajashekaran was speaking on Thursday at the two-day Indian Convention of Food Scientists and Technologists (ICFOST-XXII).

He said the Food and Safety Standards Authority had plans to educate workers in hotels and food manufacturing units, and street vendors on issues of food safety and hygiene. They would get a certificate at the end of the training, which could help improve their prospects.

He called for efforts to raise awareness on how to prevent nutrient loss and preserve food.

Food security did not just involve doling out food, but to do it in a safe manner. Safety could not be compromised at any stage of the supply chain, he said. Urging delegates to use technology and work towards innovations in production, processing and packaging, he said: “We need to invent, innovate and educate so that the future is safe for all of us and the next generation.”

Earlier, inaugurating the conference, K. Alagusundaram, director, Indian Institute of Crop Processing Technology, Thanjavur, stressed the need for further research and development in food security and safety.

He suggested that scientists look for alternatives to using chemicals on crops to control diseases and pests.

Inaugurating the poster session at ICFOST, Defence Food Research Laboratory director Harsh Vardhan Batra suggested that CFTRI and his organisation work together, to bring in excellence in food science and technology.

Convention

ICFOST has been organised by the Association of Food Scientists and Technologists, India (AFST-I), in association with CFTRI, DFRL and the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industry. The theme of this year’s meet is ‘Safety assurance of foods through emerging science and technology’.

Over 400 academicians, students and representatives from food processing industries will deliberate on issues such as food quality, packaging, processing, nutraceutical and functional foods, biotechnology, and regulations in food chain establishments.

A souvenir published by AFST-I and the 49th issue of the Journal of Food Science and Technology were released. AFST-I awards will be presented to researchers.

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‘Prospects of food processing industry are bright, but skilled manpower is an issue’

Proposal to train workers in hotels and street vendors on food safety under consideration

National Food Science and Risk Assessment Centre

There is a proposal to set up National Food Science and Risk Assessment Centre (NFSRAC) under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for regulatory research and risk assessment, as well as to oversee surveillance on the lines of international institutions like the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and Centre for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in USA and other countries.The implementation of this project would be contingent upon the final approval of the 12th Plan by the National Development Council.

The upgradation of some of the existing food laboratories into Regional laboratories and setting up of new laboratories would depend upon the approval of the 12th Plan and allocation of requisite resources.

This information was given by Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Shri Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

Maharashtra number 1 state in terms of licensing, registration: Zagade

Maharashtra is the leading state as far as the process of licensing and registration of food establishments is concerned. According to Mahesh Zagade, commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Maharashtra, the total number of licences and registrations obtained by food business operators (FBOs) in the state is 2,80,000.

“The total collection by the state FDA from food business operators for licences and registrations amounts to Rs 50 crore, which is more than the rest of the country. In fact, our counterparts in Delhi visited Maharashtra – home to about 10-15 lakh FBOs to learn about the licensing and registration procedure,” he informed.

Dinakaran