No. PR- 122
October 8, 2021
New Delhi
Webinar on Towards Improved Nutrition: Challenges and Future Strategies
7th October, 2021 | 3 to 5 PM
The Food Processing Committee of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) organized a Webinar on Towards Improved Nutrition: Challenges and Future Strategies. The objective of the webinar was brainstorm effective strategies to combat challenges like malnutrition through food fortification.
The chief Guest for the webinar was Shri Naveen Jain, IAS, Secretary, Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Government of Rajasthan. He highlighted the importance of food fortification and how food fortification has become an effective tool to combat the deficiencies of vitamins and minerals in our diet. He also stressed upon the effective distribution of fortified wheat to 4.4 Crore of population covered under NFSA and PMGKAY in Rajasthan. Rajasthan, being the biggest producer of millet can play integral role in eradicating malnutrition. He mentioned that the state government is keen to emphasize on fortification of staple food.
One of the challenges is to figure out how to make iodized salt available with necessary minerals and a full proof plan is required to help in the fortification of flour; on the other hand oil is doing great and has shown no issues whatsoever since all companies are adding the mandated levels of nutrition in them; he added further,
Dr. C. Vasudevappa, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, NIFTEM said that there is a need for science-based fortification. Scaling up of fortification must be the top priority of all the stakeholders. He highlighted that current government nutrition programs, especially those that target children, are good avenues for implementing such beneficial food fortification. However, despite the continued research and education on malnutrition, the bigger challenge like malnutrition still exists.
He further said that India’s average cereal consumption is 300 grams and the average oil consumption of 25 grams. Food fortification is creating an impact globally and it is our duty is to spread awareness about food nutrition and food fortification. Herbs & herb extracts play a vital role in food fortification and science has a major role to play in combating nutrition deficiency issues and aid food fortification as well.
Shri Vikram Kelkar, Managing Director, delivered the presentation on Challenges And Opportunities In Nutraceutical Industry With A Focus On Malnutrition And Food Fortification. He also highlighted on Factors Driving Growth of Nutraceutical Markets in India and urged for better regulatory environment in the area of fortification.
He further mentioned that, in the post covid scenario, there has been an upsurge in the demands for vitamin supplement, immunity based products and nutraceutical, especially from the youth. It has become extremely crucial to spread awareness about the importance food nutrition, food security as well as food fortification.
Shri Digvijay Dhabriya, Managing Director, Dhabriya Plywood in his opening remarks said that fortification process has helped eliminate vitamin and mineral malnutrition in many developing nations. Fortification is a globally proven intervention to address the much prevalent micronutrient deficiencies in the population.
The Technical Session was moderated by Ms. Deepti Gulati, Nutrition and Public Health Specialist, who introduced all the eminent panelists.
Ms. Sheryl Salis, Founder, Nurture Health solutions emphasized on improving the Nutrition quality of Diversified Diets through Fortified Staples and Nutraceuticals. She also added the importance of integrated diets for the elder as well as young populace.
Dr. Siddharth Waghulkar, Deputy Head, Nutrition and School Feeding Unit, World Food Programme – India spoke about importance of fortification of staples and processed food and why Indian food sector should adopt it.
Dr. Sirimavo Nair, Prof – Department of Foods and Nutrition, The M S University of Baroda highlighted the role of regulatory ecosystem in India and how it can help in upscaling the fortification in India.
Dr. Sujeet Ranjan, Public Health and Nutrition Specialist highlighted about synergy of public private partnership to reach the better nutritional outcomes.
Mr. Vivek Arora, FFRC-FSSAI expressed about the Government’s role in creating awareness in the field of fortification.
The webinar was moderated by Dr. Yogesh Srivastav, Assistant Secretary-General, PHDCCI along with, Ms. Mallika Verma who gave concluding remarks. The webinar was attended by many industry stalwarts across the nation. PHDCCI’s webinar was sponsored by Hexagon Nutrition and was supported by DLF India; Multani Pharmaceuticals; UFLEX; JK Tyre & Industries; Marble City; Paramount Cables; SMC Investments and Advisors; Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic; Comtech Interio; DCM Shriram Industries; Radico Khaitan; R E ROGERS INDIA PVGT LTD; Ajit Industries; Synergy Environics; Timberworkz; Jindal Stainless; P S Bedi & Co; and IFFCO.
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Media Division
PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry