FEBRUARY - 2023

From the Editor’s Desk

Dear Readers, presenting you the February 2023 edition.

For many years, conventional plastics are manufactured and used for packaging applications in different sectors. As the food industries are increasing, the demand for packaging material is also increasing. Plastics have transformed the food industry to higher levels; however, conventional petroleum-based plastics are non-degradable which has created severe ecological problems to the environment like a threat to aquatic life and degrading air quality.

In the context of global environmental challenges, the relevance of research aimed at obtaining ecofriendly packaging materials is growing. A modern “green” trend is the development of various types of biodegradable packaging for food industry. Special interest in the World in recent years has been shown to biodegradable food packaging materials that have both eco-properties and progressive consumer qualities. The conclusions of scientific research confirm the possibility of using some of plant and animal components as a proper alternative to synthetic materials derived from petroleum products. Films and containers made of biodegradable polymers are used for packaging meat, dairy products, baking and other products.

Another common use is disposable bottles and cups for various drinks, plates and pallets. The intended consumer market for such materials may be the production of bags for collecting and composting food waste, as well as bags for supermarkets. Despite the advantages, the production of bio-polymers has economic barriers and negative environmental effects. According to a report by Expert Market Research titled, ‘Global Biodegradable Plastic Market Report and Forecast 2023-2028’, the Global Biodegradable Plastic Market is expected to grow at CAGR Of 14.20% in the Forecast Period of 2023-2028.

This edition of webzine has plenty of such information on product packaging and other trending topics on processing, packaging, safety & regulation and allied sectors, so stay tuned.

At last, use mask, take necessary precautions and stay safe.

Your valuable feedbacks on this edition of webzine is requested.

Thanks you

Prakash Mishra

Editor - Food - Drink & Innovations

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FEBRUARY - 2023

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PRINTING / PACKAGING/ PROCESSING & AUTOMATION

37 - Maspex first to Introduce Dometwist Closure with Tethered Cap for Sig’s Carton Bottle Combidome

38 - Revolutionizing Food Processing: The Impact of Industry 4.0

42 - How Product Inspection Helps Combat Rising Manufacturing Costs

44 - Mespack and Hoffer Strengthen their Partnership by Creating an Innovative and Sustainable Solution

45 - Berry, Coca-Cola Collaborate to implement Tethered caps in EU markets 46 - Biodegradable Food Packaging 48 - New: Minebea Intec vision systems for automated end-of-line quality inspection

SUSTAINABILITY

50 - Global Clean-tech majors Bioweg and Ginkgo Bioworks to combat Microplastic Pollution with Bio-based Materials

51 - Mondi expands range of FunctionalBarrier Papers with high barrier packaging solution

53 - FSSAI notifies regulatory standards for Basmati rice, to come in force from 1st Aug

54 - Front-of-Package Warning Labels Can Discourage Unhealthy Food Choices: Study

54 - MoFPI implementing various Schemes like, PMKSY, PLISFP & PMFME to increase level of food-processing industry: MoS

MANAGEMENT

56 - Ongoing Challenges in the Food Supply Chain & the Solutions

Del Monte ropes in chef Vikas Khanna to promote its Mayonnaise & Ketchup range

from the best mayonnaise range available in the market and help us eventually be the first choice in terms of a mayonnaise brand.”

Del Monte, a brand in the ketchup & sauces space, has tied up with Michelin Star awarded chef and MasterChef India judge Vikas Khanna to promote their mayo & ketchup range. Vikas stars in Del Monte’s latest communication campaign – Made by Chefs, Loved by all- for its mayonnaise range. Speaking about this partnership, Del Monte India CEO Mahesh Kanchan said “We are delighted to have Chef Vikas Khanna partner with us on our culinary portfolio

of Mayonnaise, Ketchup & Sauces. I say this not only because Vikas is one of the most respected and reputed chefs globally , but also because he is extremely careful about the brands he chooses to work with. For us it is a match made in heaven with him endorsing one of India’s top quality food brands.

We believe his association will help increase our awareness amongst consumers and encourage them to choose

Vikas Khanna, who is delighted to be a part of this campaign said “Del Monte is an international brand, well known for the quality of its products and I am glad to be associated with it. As a chef, while we make our own mayonnaise in our restaurant, I have to say that Del Monte makes a fantastic eggless mayo and amongst all their delicious mayo variants that I have tried, Achari Mayo is my personal favourite.”

‘I am impressed with the quality of Del Monte’s products and they are at par with international standards’, Vikas added. Del Monte’s mayonnaise range includes Achari Mayo, Roasted Garlic Mayo, Sandwich Spread, Mint Mayo, Tandoori Mayo, Eggless Mayo and comes in easy to use, wide mouth jars. These can be consumed with different food items like Dosa, Samosa, Paranthas etc.

Budget reaction: Ms. Sejal Purohit, Founder, Seven Spring- Premium Tea Startup

“The Indian government this year has presented a growth-oriented budget with a special focus on boosting the manufacturing sector to create massive employment opportunities and to maintain India’s status as the world’s fastest-growing economy even after the global crisis due to the pandemic.

The concessional corporate tax for newly incorporated manufacturing companies is a positive move towards promoting the “Make in India” initiative, as this will encourage new manufacturing industries as well as increase private investment in this industry.

Apart from that, the funds allocated to the Green industry are also positive for the startups who are trying to bring new technology and products to this industry to bring about a revolution as well as contribute to the whole economy.”

Ferrero signs Ranveer Singh as a brand ambassador for Nutella

The chocolate brand Ferrero has appointed Ranveer Singh as a brand ambassador for their popular hazelnut cocoa spread brand Nutella. He will be the brand endorser for the Indian market.

The company made the announcement in collaboration with the pan-India star Ranveer Singh’s social pages through an entertaining video, where the actor is seen engaging in a rapid-fire round on ‘what comes to my mind when….’ and proclaims his love for the brand.

Nutella in India is also doing an online limited-edition Nutella jar featuring Ranveer Singh on the label as a giveaway to fans of Nutella and the star. Interestingly, the jar is packaged in a box which when scanned under a curated Instagram AR lens, triggers the actor in an augmented reality avatar on top of the box and is seen delivering a special message on this collaboration. By coming on board as a brand representative for India, the superstar will promote the Nutella brand across

digital and offline marketing channels as well as be an active part of their various campaigns.

Speaking on the collaboration, Zoher Kapuswala, Marketing Head, Nutella® brands, Ferrero India Pvt Ltd. said, “We are delighted to have Ranveer Singh onboard as our brand endorser for India market. His personality exemplifies energy which is in absolute sync with the brand’s ethos. This, combined with his famous love for Nutella makes this announcement even more exciting for us. Leveraging the actors strong connect with our consumers, we have a lot of exciting engagements lined up with Nutella.”

Brand endorser Ranveer Singh commented, “I am excited to announce my association with Nutella. Nutella

has always held a special place in my heart. I’ve been a fan ever since I was a child and my love for it has only grown over the years. I am stoked to be part of the Nutella journey in India and help bring alive their vision of making tasty breakfast and desserts.”

Ranveer Singh will be seen in an exciting campaign for the brand’s famous “World Nutella Day” celebrated all over the world on 5th February for the India market.

Budget Reaction: Mr. Ghanshyam Khandelwal, Chairman, BL Agro - FMCG company

“This year’s budget went beyond the realm of imagination. While it did not shed any particular light on the FMCG sector, it broadened the horizon and touched upon every area where India needed growth and progress. Instead of narrowing the focus to a limited niche or industry, it supports every area of potential in the economy, from MSME to education, from AI to green energy.

In that aspect and the control of the fiscal deficit, the budget threads the needle with precision and indeed is praiseworthy. The three niches of concentration were skill enhancement, filling the gaps in production or infrastructure, and health. Take, for instance, health and wellness. The colleges for nurses are only part of it; the push on millet is an ancillary route to wellness. Millets like jowar and bajra are a natural way to provide the body with supplements, offering more holistic nourishment.

Overall, it’s a Swadeshi budget through and through that equally benefits all and sets the country on a path to steep progress and development.”

Hershey India forays into chocolaty coated-wafer market with HERSHEY’S Choco Tubes, a multitextural chocolaty treat

HERSHEY’S Kisses, HERSHEY’S Exotic Dark and HERSHEY’S Bars. The brand has consistently added innovations to address changing consumer preferences. With its entry into the chocolaty coated-wafer market, Hershey India is all set to make its offerings more accessible to consumers.

Hershey India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of The Hershey Company, a leading global snacking & confectionery company, announced its first foray into the chocolaty coated-wafer market. The launch of HERSHEY’S Choco Tubes marks its entry into the ~INR 2000 crore coated-wafer biscuit chocolate segment in India. Aiming to meet the growing need for novel, value-oriented treats, the launch will appeal to consumers with its anytime-anywhere, shareable offering at an affordable price point of INR 20.

HERSHEY’S Choco Tubes is a chocolaty treat offering four delicious layers in every bite! It has unique crunchy wafer-tubes filled with melt-

in-your-mouth Hershey’s chocolaty taste inside, with a generous layer of chocolaty crème and surprising crunchy inclusions on the outside. With a long wafer-based tube to break, share and relish; the launch offers a perfect anytime treat to share with your family or friends. HERSHEY’S Choco Tubes has been launched in two variants Creamy Milk and Cookies ‘n’ Creme. Both are available at INR 20 for 25g. With this launch, the brand aims to extend its unique portfolio that enables consumers to indulge in moments of togetherness.

In less than three years, Hershey India has gained a strong share in the premium chocolate category with its wide range of chocolates including

Commenting on the launch, Geetika Mehta, Managing Director, Hershey India stated, “Hershey India has gained immense consumer love with the national launch of our premium, indulgent range of chocolates led by HERSHEY’S Kisses, HERSHEY’S Exotic Dark, and HERSHEY’S Bars. Our in-store presence across 150+ cities in India, and continuous innovations have helped us gain a strong foothold in the premium chocolate category in less than three years. We are thrilled to foray into the chocolaty coated-wafer market with the launch of HERSHEY’S Choco Tubes, which will further strengthen our position and make HERSHEY’S more accessible to consumers, at an affordable price point of Rs. 20. On the back of a consumer-qualified mix and our brand-building prowess, we are confident of replicating our success in this category as well.”

HERSHEY’S Choco Tubes is available across retail stores in top cities in two delicious variants, Creamy Milk and Cookies ‘n’ Creme, at INR 20/-.

Sid’s Farm launches A2 Desi Cow Ghee

Sid’s Farm, a premium D2C dairy brand based in Telangana, today announced the launch of “A2 Desi Cow Ghee” for its customers ahead of the jubilant occasion of India’s Republic Day. Sid’s Farm, launched its A2 Desi Cow Milk last August and received remarkable consumer response with 400+ pre-booking which accounted more than 350 litres of milk in the first 6 hrs of pre booking.

This euphoric trend paved the path for the launch of the A2 Desi Cow Ghee which will be available at a competitive price of Rs.999 for 350 gm of ghee. Sid’s Farm is a much loved brand, which is available in stores around Hyderabad and also through e-commerce sites in Bengaluru, serving milk & regular use dairy products like paneer, curd, ghee, & butter. Sid’s Farm’s unique offering allows customers to choose from cow & buffalo milk and dairy products depending upon their preference.

Shredding of the myths, related to weight gain and cholesterol, around the consumption of ghee in the recent past, by medical professionals as well as nutritionists and celebrities have boosted the popularity of ghee, especially the A2 Desi cow variant, among common households of India. Ghee has many nutritionally benefitting properties as it is rich in linoleic acid, which is known to aid in weight loss as per studies, improves digestion and reduces stress and chances of cancer.

Elated at the launch of A2 Desi Cow Ghee, Dr. Kishore Indukuri, Founder and MD, Sid’s Farm said, “Launching the A2 Desi Cow Ghee was an organic step for Sid’s Farm, post the unprecedented response at the launch of the A2 Desi Cow Milk. Ghee is a must-have component in Indian kitchen, our grandmothers used to shower love on us by pouring dollops of ghee in the dishes prepared at home. Since childhood, every Indian has certainly heard about the benefits of ghee, for digestion, strength and vitality of health”. He further adds, “The Indian consumer today is more aware about the benefits of ghee consumption and there is a steep in demand for good quality premium ghee. Thus we are stepping in to deliver premium quality unadulterated real A2 Desi Cow Ghee at their doorstep”.

The ‘National Milk Safety and Quality Survey 2018’ found harmful contaminants, such as aflatoxin-M1, antibiotics and pesticides in major milk brands. Even FSSAI revealed that only 62.3% milk sold meets the standard, which is far below the global average. Causing

some stirs in the D2C organic ghee market, Sid’s Farm offers consumers the exceptional opportunity to choose one of the best available brands in this regard which are produced through an evolved tech based approach. The A2 Desi Cow Ghee will be available through their app in Hyderabad at the primary stage and will expand to stores and also to Bengaluru at a later stage.

Tata Sampann launches its Blended Spice range in Karnataka with a new TVC

and sensory value, and hence have the right flavour. We are also elated to partner with Priyamani, who represents this brand impeccably and has a strong resonance across these markets. There is a personal touch to her and how she relates with the audience which is remarkable. We are confident that our new blended spices, with their authentic flavours coupled with the heart-warming creative with Priyamani, will be the go-to choice for consumers seeking great taste.”

Tata Sampann has launched its Blended Spice range consisting of Puliyogare, Malabar chicken, Sambar masala and Masala rice mix across Karnataka.

The latest Television commercial by Tata Sampann stars Priyamani in a double role & captures the essence of delectable home-cooked food along with the Tata Sampann blended spices. The commercial delivers the message of the brand’s commitment to serve authentic flavour with its range of blended spices through a relatable and light

hearted exchange between twin sisters, Priyamani and Gyanmani.

Commenting on the campaign, Deepika Bhan, President, Packaged Foods (India), Tata Consumer Products, states, said, “We are delighted to launch Tata Sampann blended masalas, a new portfolio that complements our current pure spices category which is especially crafted for the South consumer after multiple rounds of research and tasting with consumer households. Considering our efforts to preserve natural goodness, our products are high in quality

Nestlé launches food, beverage thickener for dysphagia patients

Nestlé India has launched ThickenUp Clear, a food and beverage thickener that can be used to help patients with swallowing difficulties, especially in oropharyngeal dysphagia. It can be administered to those experiencing challenges in swallowing, clinically known as dysphagia due to conditions such as head and neck cancer, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, among others. Dysphagia is a major yet understated health condition that leads to dehydration, malnutrition-led infections, and impaired quality of life.

ThickenUp Clear is clinically proven to improve swallowing safety and efficacy. The product is scientifically

Speaking on her association with Tata Sampann, Priyamani said, “I am delighted to be a part of the Tata Consumer family. As a Tata Sampann consumer myself, I am convinced that the brand has an incredible product line and as these blended spices are especially crafted to suit the southern customers, I am excited to share the incredible flavor palate with them. My experience in the film industry has taught me that if you truly believe you have something valuable to offer, doors of opportunity will open for you, and I sincerely believe that Tata Consumer Products is here to touch the heart (and taste-buds!) of every consumer.”

designed and is manufactured by a unique technology at Osthofen, Germany, exclusively for Nestlé Health Science. It is xanthan gum-based and is tasteless, colorless, odorless and amylase resistant. The product can be added to varied liquids to enhance swallowing safety and efficacy.

Mansi Khanna, Head, Nestlé India Health Science, said, “With the launch of ThickenUp Clear, we are sustaining the momentum on new growth platforms, strengthening our presence in nutritional science. This product is an addition to the existing portfolio that addresses various health-induced nutrition issues, thus reiterating our commitment to empowering healthier lives through nutrition.’’

Nic Honestly Crafted Ice Creams Introduces 2 new Flavors in 2023

A further layer of texture and taste is added by the inclusion of crispy Ravdi, a dish made from white sesame seeds and jaggery. Being the confection given with affection during the MakarSankranti holiday across India, TilGud is certain to win over hearts everywhere.

For employing only the best ingredients in all of its products, NIC Honestly Crafted Ice Creams is renowned. NIC Honestly Crafted Ice Creams stands out for its commitment to quality, which has led to its rapid growth.

Two brand-new, distinctive flavors have been added by NIC Honestly Crafted Ice Creams to its already remarkable assortment of tasty ice creams. Traditional Indian sweets are tasted in the energizing frozen forms of TilGud with Ravdi and GajarHalwa Ice Cream. NIC GajarHalwa Ice Cream blends rich, savory GajarHalwa, a delicacy fashioned from the finest red carrots, dry fruits, and ghee, with creamy milk. The red carrots, which are grown specifically

for their sweet flavor in the winter, give this ice cream a unique flavor. The ice cream has a typical flavor and texture thanks to the mixture of carrots and dry fruits that have been cooked in ghee.

White sesame seeds, milk, and jaggery are the perfect complement in NIC TilGud with Ravdi Ice Cream. This delicious is the ideal choice for winter because it contains elements that are thought to insulate and warm the body during the colder months.

In addition to GajarHalwa and TilGud, NIC Honestly Crafted Ice Creams offers a wide variety of other flavors to choose from, including fruit & nuts like Alphonso Mango, Tender Coconut, Roasted Almonds, Dry Fruit Overload, chocolate ice creams like NIC Belgian Chocolate, Cookies & Cream, Chocochips and international flavors like Mediterranean Sea Salted Caramel and French Vanilla to Indian inspirations like NIC Paan, GulabJamun and more. There is something for every ice cream lover to enjoy.

The new flavors, which put a distinctive spin on conventional Indian sweets, are sure to surprise and please taste buds. Don’t pass up the opportunity to sample these innovative, delectable ice creams, which are offered on prominent online marketplaces and may be delivered right to your home. Today, treat yourself to NIC Honestly Crafted Ice Creams’ rich, creamy richness.

WickedGud Expands Product Portfolio, Launches Instant Noodles

WickedGud, a D2C health food brand, recently launched instant noodles that are made with the goodness of oats, lentils, whole wheat, millets, and brown rice making them 100 percent maida-free, 100 percent oil-free, and 100 percent free of any harmful chemicals as compared to incumbents. Adding to this, the nourishing instant noodles are manufactured using a future-forward SCAD (Steaming and Convection Air Drying) technology making it free of palm oil, palm olein, edible vegetable oil, or any other form of oil.

The range is available in three different seasonings – Masala, Curry, and Schezwan. The brand claims to have sold more than 15,000 packs of its pasta and more than 30,000 packs of its noodles in the last month, having grown 6X in top-line over the past 12 months.

Founded by Bhuman Dani, Monish Debnath, and Soumalya Biswas, in April 2022 WickedGud successfully closed a $1 million seed funding round led by Mumbai Angels and saw participation from Dholakia Ventures, NB Ventures, and others while in October 2022, raised an undisclosed amount from Venture Catalysts and other marquee investors. The brand had also

raised $340,000 in a pre-seed round in July 2021 led by Titan Capital which saw participation from Aman Gupta, Amit Chaudhary, and others. With a strong mission and fierce backing, the brand aims to disrupt the $20 billion healthy food market in the country with its revolutionary products.

Bhuman Dani, Founder, and CEO at WickedGüd said, “Instant noodles is one of the largest consumer food categories in India, with a market size of over 12,000 crores. That said, all of the legacy brands in this category offer product that is deep-fried, and made with refined flour while also containing a lot of harmful additives in the tastemaker. This is not a novel discovery, but rather just the ignorance of consumers,

which is what we are highlighting in our brand’s mission to un-junk India, one kitchen at a time!.”

Soumalya Biswas, Founding Team Member and COO at WickedGüd stated, “For a D2C brand like ours, the biggest hurdle is often the opportunity lost due to an ineffective supply chain. We ensured this does not happen with us and hence, you can spot WickedGüd at about 25 online channels and quick commerce applications in India including Amazon, BlinkIt, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, JioMart, Flipkart, among others, and over 150 online and offline channels across the USA, UK, Singapore, Nepal, and UAE. Very soon, we’re steering up to have an offline presence in the Indian market as well.”

Total Hits - 1,60,000 + Per Month

Unique Visitors - 14,500 + Per Month

Avg. Session Duration - 9 Min, 35 Sec For

Mondelez India launches Cadbury Chocobakes Cookies

Mondelez India, known for its brands such as Oreo and Cadbury, is eyeing a bigger share in the biscuits segment, which has witnessed strong growth in the post-pandemic times. The company is launching a new product called the Cadbury Chocobakes Chocochip Cookies expanding into the choco-chip cookies space. In tune with the everevolving consumer preferences, the signature taste of Cadbury chocolate has taken the form of bars, candies, cakes and cookies.

This time around, the exciting innovation transforms the country’s favourite chocolate into its smallest avatar, a Chocochip on a cookie! To commemorate the launch, the brand has launched ‘Chhote Chhote Cadbury’, a 360-degree campaign celebrating the arrival of the newest member of the family. The brand has curated a 35 second ad film that captures the delicious treat, within a slice of life scene based on a ‘comedy of error’ plot. The video opens with a mom, her uncle and son sitting in the

hall. While the mom is seen leaving home to run some errands, the endearing uncle takes a bite of the irresistibly chocolaty cookie and discovers the ‘Chhote Chhote Cadbury’ on it. While eating, a single Chocochip falls, flies around and lands in the kid’s tiffin. Both lunge for the tiffin as neither of them wanted to let go of even one Chocochip (Afterall it’s Cadbury Chocochip). Just at that moment, the mother enters back and sees both grappling.

The mother thinks the uncle is eating her son’s food, while in fact he is only gorging on the fallen Chocochip, leaving the mom stunned! Speaking

Fiberstar, Inc. Launches New Organic Citrus Fibers for Food & Beverages

ket drivers fueling the uptick in demand include a growth in consumer health and wellness initiatives, limited availability of hydrocolloids due to supply chain challenges and increased visibility of sustainable business practices.

on the launch Nitin Saini, vice president – marketing, Mondelez India said “Over the years, the biscuit category has become a key growth driver and we have consistently delivered exciting and new offerings that have been winning the hearts of our consumers. With the debut of Cadbury Chocobakes Chocochip Cookie, we are providing yet another decadent, indulgent treat that transforms our signature Cadbury into an entirely new experience. We are confident that the campaign ‘Chhote Chhote Cadbury’ will play a huge role in driving awareness and salience for Chocobakes, and further strengthening our position as a snacking leader and a strong challenger in the biscuit segment.” Harshad Rajadhyaksha & Kainaz Karmakar, chief creative officers, Ogilvy India had this to say about the campaign,

“The story revolves around the discovery of a Cadbury chocolate chip in the cookie and the subsequent want to consume each chip. Though the film is a comic exaggeration, it comes from a human truth. The truth that we will not want to let go of the slightest bit of what we love. Everyone will be able to think of a moment in their lives when they felt and acted like the Chachaji in this film.”

Fiberstar, Inc., the leader of innovative citrus fibers launched a line of new organic citrus fibers – Citri-Fi® 400 series. These new citrus fibers are in response to the increasing demand for natural, sustainable and organic food ingredients. Mar-

“We are thrilled to add these new organic citrus fibers to our portfolio,” says President and CEO of Fiberstar, Inc. John Haen. “This organic product line extension taps into a new market which will garner additional sales growth for Fiberstar.” Like the flagship Citri-Fi 100 series, this new Citri-Fi 400 organic series is byproduct of the citrus juicing

process. The fibrous composition of insoluble and soluble fiber, in the form of intact native pectin, provides water holding and emulsification properties with a pleasant mouthfeel. Because of the dual functionality, at less than 1% usage rate, Citri-Fi 400 improves the texture, stability and nutrition of a variety of food and beverages. These foods include bakery, dairy, processed meats, dressings, sauces and frozen foods in addition to plant-based foods like meat substitutes and dairy alternatives.

Citri-Fi 400 is USDA certified organic and certified as an organic source by the European Union. This upcycled organic citrus fiber series is non-GMO, non-allergenic, gluten-free and has no E-number. Labeling options include citrus fiber, dried citrus pulp or citrus flour.

ProV Foods launches ProV Minis, perfect handful of nuts as a mini snack-pack

ProV Minis are perfectly proportioned flavoured dry fruits, nuts, and seeds ideal for healthy on-the-go nutrition, priced at just INR 30

ProV foods, a leading integrated commodities company with a largescale presence in the dry fruits, nuts, seeds and berries segment, announced the launch of a new line of products called ProV Minis. Designed specifically for the Indian market, ProV Minis are perfectly proportioned mini snack-packs of flavoured dry fruits, nuts and seeds that are ideal for healthy on-the-go nutrition. Priced at a very affordable price point of just INR 30 per pack, ProV Minis are the perfect solution when you don’t have enough time to pack in a healthy snack for breakfast or are just confused about what healthy alternatives to pack into your kid’s lunch box.

ProVMinis are currently available in exciting and unique flavours such as Cashew Roasted & Salted, Nut & Seed Mix, Cashew Creamy Cheese, Cashew Cracked Pepper, Almonds Roasted & Salted and Almonds Piri Piri. The company will launch additional flavours and variants over the coming months. ProV Minis can be purchased from the ProV Food

website as well as leading e-commerce sites such as Amazon, Flipkart and retail stores like Dmart, More Retail, Metro Cash & Carry, and your neighbourhood kirana shops.

Commenting on the launch of ProV Minis, Shalin Khanna, Co-Founder and CMO, ProV Foods said, “Indian consumers often struggle with finding healthy snacking options for themselves and their families and often end up snacking on unhealthy snacks like chips and namkeens. The few healthy alternatives that exist tend to have higher price points not suitable for impulse purchases or to stock at local kiranas, or lack in flavour and taste. ProV has always been committed to bridging this gap and providing innovative, healthy, flavourful and affordable products to customers. The launch of ProV Minis is yet another step from ProV Foods in this direction.”

Budget Quote: Mr. Sanjay Jain, Director, Elanpro

Sharing his thoughts on Union Budget Mr. Sanjay Jain, Director, Elanpro said, “We welcome the budget announced by Honourable Finance Minister. Union Budget 2023 strikes a right balance between agriculture, manufacturing and services. It is growth oriented and promising while setting out a plan for inclusive development. The rejig of tax slabs is applauded by the salaried middle class. Enhanced focus on investment, productive expenditure, ease of doing business and green growth is noteworthy.

The measures outlined in the budget will surely give a boost to tourism. The move to add 50 more tourist destina-

tions is a significant step. Increased focus on domestic and international tourism is expected to lift the sector and create employment opportunities. From a commercial refrigeration company’s viewpoint, we believe it is a positive step as it will spruce up investment and fuel growth in hospitality sector.

Focus on animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries is also expected to indirectly have a positive impact on the commercial refrigeration industry. Amid concerns of global warming, the highlighted focus on green growth will give an impetus to sustainable solutions. The ‘Green credit programme’ to reduce carbon footprint is expected to incentivize eco-consciousness in our industry.”

Heritage Foods Expands Product Portfolio, Introduces ‘GlucoShakti’

Heritage Foods Ltd. has announced the launch of GlucoShakti, a whey-based instant energy drink that revitalizes our hardworking youth when strenuous physical work drains them. GlucoShakti has the goodness of whey, fortified with Glucose for Instant Energy. It has naturally occurring minerals such as Sodium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, etc. which help replenish the essential body salts.

It has 1.5 times more Potassium than other competing products which claim to be a natural source of Energy with no Gas. Hence, GlucoShakti is a natural, non-carbonated and affordable energy drink for people on the go, especially during the long and harsh summer days. Available in a 200 ml pouch pack priced at only Rs 10, it is a pocket-friendly and convenient source of energy without fizz. Currently launched in tangy orange flavor, GlucoShakti has been launched across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu and it is available across General Trade stores, Heritage Parlours, and select Modern Retail stores.

Bhuvaneswari Nara, Vice Chairperson, and MD said, “GlucoShakti is a healthy and delicious instant energy booster to help people bounce back when fatigue sets in. This is yet another effort from Heritage to keep the promise of delivering Health and Happiness to everyone, every day!”

Heritage Foods Ltd. also unveiled ‘Creamilicious Curd’, with this new product launch the intent is to deliver a significantly superior curd experience compared to any other in the market.

Creamilicious Curd has 4.5 percent fat and is made with a unique curd-culture recipe, which gives the curd superior texture, creaminess, and a superior consumer experience. This tasty thick and creamy curd has been launched in premium Tubs (1 kg), convenient cups (200 and 400g), and popular pouches (500g).

Initially rolled out in Delhi NCR, this new Creamilicious Curd has now been launched across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. It is available across General Trade, all major Modern retail stores, E-Commerce platforms, and Heritage Parlours and Heritage Happiness Points.

Brahmani Nara, Executive Director

of Heritage Foods Ltd stated, “The rich Heritage Creamilicious Curd truly delivers on the promise to be a healthy and delicious companion to any meal and is yet another step to further strengthen our Value-added dairy portfolio.”

Heritage Foods is slated to launch more such healthy and tasty products for its consumers during the year.

Pepsi® Launches New and Improved Pepsi Zero Sugar, Proving Zero Never Tasted so Good

outpaces the old formula across the board, including key metrics like overall liking and purchase intent. Consumers in the comprehensive assessment study preferred the new Pepsi Zero Sugar, considering it more: refreshing, tasty, having a real cola taste, smooth, able to pair with food and more.

Pepsi is excited to announce a new and improved Pepsi Zero Sugar that proves zero never tasted so good. Through taste and trial, the brand is proving to consumers that zero never tasted so good by giving consumers the opportunity to redeem up to 10 million FREE Pepsi Zero Sugars starting during the NFL Playoffs through the Super Bowl. The upgraded Pepsi Zero Sugar recipe uses a new sweetener system to land a more refreshing and bolder taste profile than the previous Pepsi Zero Sugar varietal. Whether it’s sensational offerings that break the internet, like

Pilk & Cookies, groundbreaking cola innovations like Nitro Pepsi®, wildly popular new flavors like Pepsi Mango, and now the new and improved Pepsi Zero Sugar, team Pepsi is constantly identifying consumer trends and preferences and working to create flavor profiles that meet consumers’ everevolving needs.

The advantaged new Pepsi Zero Sugar formula is another example of the brand’s innovative approach in delivering new flavor profiles. In fact, consumer preference testing has shown that the new Pepsi Zero Sugar

“At Pepsi, we put our consumers at the forefront of everything we do,” said Todd Kaplan, Chief Marketing Officer –brand Pepsi. “Our R&D team leveraged the best new beverage technology to upgrade our Pepsi Zero Sugar product to give fans the best tasting cola in the zero-sugar category. The product is truly a breakthrough as it is the best zero sugar cola we’ve ever had –period. We’re so confident in its taste, that we are making up to 10 million free Pepsi Zero Sugars available to consumers so that people can try it for themselves.”

While the new Pepsi Zero Sugar formula rolls out across the United States, the brand is preparing a suite of consumer-facing marketing activations as the brand seeks to prioritize the zero-sugar category across in-store and media marketing channels.

BUDGET

QUOTE

: Mr. Tarak BhattacharyaExecutive Director & CEO at Mad Over Donuts

There were no significant direct takeaways from the union budget 2023 related to the F&B or the QSR industry. Still, there are some interesting aspects which will help our business. Government will select 50 destinations, to promote tourism on mission mode. The Finance Minister said that with an integrated and innovative approach, at least 50 destinations will be selected through challenge mode. This will increase the movement of people towards these locations thereby giving a chance to increase travel and

hospitality businesses that will help us too. This is positive news for the F&B industry as more tourism indicates higher footfalls. Regional air connectivity will be improved in the country allowing more flights, helicopters, and water aerodromes to operate. This again increases tourism and can benefit the F&B as well as the QSR industry. The government has also reduced the income tax rate and raised the income tax limit to 7 LPA, allowing people more disposal income to spend more on food and leisure. Again a positive sign for the F&B industry.

Slurrp Farm & Anushka Sharma Rally for Moms Across India

Millet-based children’s food brand Slurrp Farm today unveiled “Yes Moms”, a digital-first community of mothers to enable mothers to connect with, learn from, and support one another. Yes Moms was launched at a highdecibel event in Mumbai by mother, Bollywood actor, and Slurrp Farm investor, Anushka Sharma. The event saw the presence of over 150 mothers from across the country.

Mothers are constantly thinking of and worrying about their kids, especially when it comes to feeding them. But what makes this journey easier is dialogue and support from others who are going through the same experiences. The sisterhood of moms is one of the biggest pillars of strengths for them to lean on and it is this insight that has formed the core of Yes Moms.

Yes Moms will create a safe space for moms to discover, debate, and engage with each other on topics related to food and nutrition as their children journey through babyhood into childhood and beyond. It will enable mothers

to connect, share and celebrate the sisterhood of motherhood and learn from each other’s experiences. A panel of nutritionists and pediatricians will also help arm mothers with the right information.

Yes Moms community aims to make a difference in the lives of mothers by being an enabler for her and in the lives of her children by creating a positive impact on their health through the use of nutrient-dense superfoods.

The launch of Yes Moms also coincides with the UN-designated International Year of Millets - the community will provide a platform for mothers to learn more about supergrains like ragi, jowar, amaranth, bajra amongst others. Research has shown that nutricereals like millets go a long way in improving health and nutrition, especially if consumed in the early years of one’s life. At the core of Slurrp Farm’s brand proposition is to take millets to the center of kids’ plates, in a bid to set them up for healthy and happy futures.

Anushka Sharma, a longtime ad-

vocate of healthy and natural eating shared her experience with mothers present at the event. She said, “I am a Mom and it is important for me to be conscious about my daughter’s food. I’ve discovered that the best way is to surround myself with the right allies. My allies are other mothers who are going through the same experiences, creating and trying out new ways to keep their children happy and healthy. ‘Yes Moms’ is a milestone initiative by Slurrp Farm to enable mothers like myself to connect and share tried and tested tips and tricks. Moreover, it will also educate mothers on the benefits of the super grain millet, a grain I have personally grown up eating. I know the immense value it adds to our overall health and well-being. Especially if included in our diets from the early years. I can’t wait for mothers across India to discover more about these wonder grains through Yes Moms.”

Shauravi Malik and Meghana Narayan, Co-founders of Wholsum Foods, the parent company of Slurrp Farm, said, “As mothers ourselves, we recognize, and greatly emphasize the importance of feeding kids right and also having a support system, in other moms who can relate to your experiences. We’re firm believers that only a mom can truly understand and add value to the journey of another. With Yes Moms, it is our endeavour to do just that - give moms like us a platform to learn, help, and support each other, connect on the basis of common experiences around feeding children. Feeding is one of the most intrinsic parts of a mother-child relationship and there’s a lot of pressure on getting it just right. We want to drive behaviour change to allow for a healthier, happier future for all children. At the same time, we want to bring back the joy to it by surrounding mothers with a powerful sisterhood. Yes Moms will educate mothers, minimize stress, empower them and just let mealtimes be happy, healthy and yummy.”

Saffola Presents India’s First-Ever Soya Bhurji

Cook-Off Judged by Celebrity Chef Kunal Kapur Along with Rannvijay Singha

Marico Limited, one of India’s leading FMCG companies today unveiled the all-new Saffola Soya Bhurji in a unique, never-seen-before Snack It Up Cook-off event - A live competition between 10 of the most popular bhurji chefs from across the country who fought it out for the title of the ultimate snacking champion! Kicking off this event on a higher note, Celebrity Chef and brand ambassador, Chef Kunal Kapur along with leading actor and TV personality, Rannvijay Singha launched the highly-anticipated product as a healthy yet tasty snacking solution thereby unveiling the secret to #NoMoreChotiBhookh across all age groups! This first-ever cook-off by Saffola Soya caused a viral stir amongst both, locals and nation-wide consumers.

Moving beyond the easy-to-make and tasty snacking options, 2022 saw a cult-following towards guilt-free, healthy yet tasty snacking habits. While we crave the magic of scrumptious food flavors that keep us drooling for more, many of us often feel a lack of all-day snacking options to beat those hunger pangs especially as we enter the New Year. Here to tickle your taste-buds and provide a superior healthy yet tasty snacking solution, Marico Limited has introduced the allnew Saffola Soya Bhurji.

The newly launched product enriched with 2X protein, has the goodness of soya and real vegetables striking the ideal balance between taste and health. It can be consumed as a standalone snack or curated into lip-smacking dishes like Soya Bhurji

The Saffola Soya Bhurji ‘Snack It Up’ Cook-off challenged some of our favourite bhurji chefs from across the country to curate lip-smacking dishes in just 15 minutes at Taj Palace. The event successfully concluded with the announcement of the winner and an exclusive Soya Bhurji Cook Book by Chef Kunal Kapur along with many other social media creators that were present at the event. Chef Noor Ahmed and Chef Premji were announced as winners of the ultimate cook-off challenge.

Speaking about the event, Celebrity Chef and Brand Ambassador, Chef Kunal Kapur said, “I’m thrilled to be a part of this unique event with Saffola that has introduced Soya Bhurji, a game changer in the Indian healthy snacking market. Bhurji has always been a personal favorite and can be incorporated in almost any recipe making it more flavourful and scrump-

tious. It was indeed an honour to have judged this cook-off and I offer my heartiest congratulations to all the participating chefs.”

“Indian consumers today are looking at convenient, ready to eat healthy yet tasty snacking solutions. The Snack It Up Cook-off and the newly unveiled Saffola Soya Bhurji Cookbook with exclusive recipes was a great example to showcase the taste and versatility of the new product that is all set to satiate our hunger pangs keeping us fuller for longer thereby ensuring #NoMoreChotiBhookh!”

Saffola Soya Bhurji has been launched in the multipurpose Magic Masala flavor that packs 12.6 gm protein per serving - giving 2X protein as compared to any other popular packaged snacks, making it a power-packed snack for any occasion. It is available in 35 gm pouch priced at Rs. 15 launched in Delhi, Mumbai and West Bengal across general trade. It is also available across modern trade and major e-commerce platforms.

Roll, Chaat, Frankie, Toasts and more, for healthy breakfasts or guilt-free midnight munching!

Research finds consumers crave healthier indulgence in bakery aisle

In time for National Baking Month, new research from Cargill finds consumers want the best of both worlds – indulgence and health – and they’re willing to pay more for baked goods that deliver on both attributes.

Sweet Delight – Decoding consumer bakery decisions research surveyed 1,200 U.S. consumers to understand the unmet needs and motivations that drive consumer purchase behaviors related to cakes, pastries and cookies. The proprietary study not only looked at what consumers say they do but revealed the why behind their purchase decisions, including their expectations around textures, packaging claims, ingredients and more.

“At Cargill, we understand that consumer insights help ensure we’re bringing innovation solutions to our customers that help them keep and attract new customers in a competitive environment,” said Camiel van Beek, bakery category leader for Cargill’s global edible oil solutions group. “Across our food ingredient businesses, we’ve embraced this new way of innovating, helping our food manufacturer customers develop products that meet consumers’ unmet needs.”

Among its findings, the Cargill research confirmed indulgence remains the most important purchase trigger for cake, pastry and cookie purchases, outweighing barriers such as weight gain, health or diet considerations. More than half (54%) of those surveyed said they chose bakery products to satisfy cravings, while 44% admitted they purchased them as a reward. Other aspects of the study explored the influence of ingredient lists, nutritional information, and package claims on

consumers’ bakery purchases. Highlighting the continuing importance of label-friendly formulation, the research found consumers viewed ingredients as most influential to their purchase decision (42%), over nutrition scores (39%) and specific product claims (28%).

That’s not to say, however, that consumers aren’t interested in baked goods with nutrition profiles they perceive as healthier. Rather, the research revealed health-related attributes registered as some of consumers’ biggest unmet needs, spanning desires for products that delivered portion control, balanced great taste and health, supplied energy boosts without sugar crashes and offered greater satiety, especially in the cookie and pastry space.

The research also identified the most promising innovation platforms to meet those unfilled desires. By looking at both purchase drivers and consumers’ willingness to pay more, Cargill found three top benefit/innovation platforms emerged: Fresh from the Oven, Premium Indulgence and Better for You. In each opportunity space, significant numbers of consumers said they would accept higher prices. Modeling techniques then helped discern the key textures, claims and ingredients associated with each platform that would motivate consumers to make final pur-

chases. For example, when it comes to Premium Indulgence in cakes, key claims consumers associate with these products are “all natural,” “no artificial ingredients and “traceable ingredients.” Key textures that resonate are rich, creamy and buttery, while leading ingredients include cocoa powder and butter.

“This research gives us very specific insights and will help us deliver a more focused innovation roadmap for our customers,” van Beek said. “With it, we can help customers match consumer preferences around textures, claims and ingredients by application and even daypart, then leverage our ingredient and application expertise to develop products that will resonate in the marketplace.”

Cargill’s inaugural bakery insights consumer study joins a growing portfolio of proprietary market-focused research it uses to identify the trends, behaviors, attitudes and motivations shaping the food and beverage landscape. The company then leverages these insights, along with its deep application and ingredient expertise, to help customers tailor product development goals, ingredient choices and formulations to capitalize on market opportunities and meet consumer needs.

www.cargill.com

Cargill study reveals the purchase drivers, unfilled needs and most promising innovation platforms for cakes, pastries and cookies

tion to transparent labels, in response to rising market demand. A recent survey showed that almost 60% of consumers in Asia put great importance on clean label products, saying that it has a “fair” to a “great deal” of influence on their buying decisions4 Also, almost three in four flexitarians look closely at the on-pack information, before buying a product, e.g., checking nutritional values or the ingredient label. And 86% of global flexitarians state that how food is made and what is in it is very important to them.5

A Green Food Strategy is key to success in 2023: Here’s Why

In addition, an increasing number of flexitarians — who have a primarily vegetarian diet but occasionally consume meat or fish — means manufacturers should look to build a range of plantbased products to cater to this growing segment. An FMCG Gurus survey2 found Asia to be leading the way in the market, with 28% of consumers already describing their diet as flexitarian.

Christian Philippsen Managing Director, BENEO, Asia Pacific

Keeping a constant finger on the pulse of the food industry will be crucial to ensuring a successful 2023 for manufacturers. As we gear up for the road ahead, one key trend that producers must keep an eye on is the plant-based movement, which is set to dominate the food and beverage sector this year.

Industry statistics fully demonstrate that the plant-based momentum is far from slowing, with a healthy portion of consumers (40%) expressing that they plan to purchase plant-based meat substitutes in 2023.1

Understanding what matters to consumers

When it comes to the types of plantbased food consumers want, there are many key factors that come into play. Taste and texture continue to emerge as a key driver for repeat purchases, as consumers remain unwilling to sacrifice on indulgence. Furthermore, it was also found that the top drivers for flexitarians purchasing meat and dairy alternatives boil down to healthiness and helping them take care of their bodies, naturalness, supporting a well-balanced diet and providing more variety3

In recent years, manufacturers have been motivated to pay increasing atten-

To cater to the myriad of consumer expectations, manufacturers will need to scale up their current plant-based catalogue across food categories to include a variety of alternatives to meat, fish, dairy, sweets, or baked goods, as well as natural and sustainably sourced ingredients that will appease the environmentally conscious. To do so, they can look to suppliers like BENEO, who offer a wide range of functional plantbased ingredients tailored for consumer satisfaction.

Functional ingredients that satisfy all expectations

With regard to meat alternatives, BENEO’s textured wheat protein, BeneoPro W-Tex, allows for the development of juicy, meat-free products with an authentic meat-like texture and a granular, fibrous structure. The product range contains different particle sizes and varying protein content. This makes it suitable for total and partial meat replacement in a wide range of applications such as plant-based burgers, meatballs, sausages, chicken strips, or even dim sum fillings. The ingredient is very easy to use, freeze/ thaw stable and thus optimal for challenging processing conditions, and also suitable for frozen ready meals. Wheat protein is also an excellent source of many essential amino acids, making it an outstanding source of protein in meat alternatives. Moreover, compared with other plant proteins, the taste of textured wheat protein is neutral, so it can be easily flavoured with a variety of tastes, herbs and spices.

In dairy alternatives, BENEO’s specialty rice ingredients are ideal clean label texturisers that help create stable

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and creamy textures with a soft, smooth mouthfeel. Their neutral taste makes them easy to combine and eliminates the need to balance out off-flavours. A blend of dried rice syrup, rice flour and rice starch, they can also serve as milk powder replacement in plant-based chocolate, providing a nice taste, good snap, and melting behaviour. In fact, BENEO’s research shows that 7 out of 10 flexitarians see rice as an appealing source for both dairy alternatives and bakery and sweets alternatives.6

In further alignment with market trends for natural and sustainable products, BENEO also recently added faba bean ingredients to its product range for the plant-based sector. Pulses like faba bean help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at farm level, capturing nitrogen from the air and providing it for themselves and subsequent plants. Also, BENEO strives to source faba beans at Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) Gold level from German farmers. The crop will also be fully used and completely valorised for functional ingredients during the production process, which has been chosen for its low energy and water consumption in comparison to alternative processes.

The portfolio of faba bean ingredients for the food industry includes protein concentrate with high solubility and very good emulsifying properties, suitable for homogenous vegan drinks for example, and starch-rich flour that can help boost the protein content in various applications, like cereals, snacks or baked goods.

Setting up for success in 2023

With plant-based demand set to constitute a significant share of the market in 2023, tapping into the green food movement must be an indispensable part of any manufacturers’ business strategy for the year. Thanks to continuous investments, such as into a new pulse-processing site in Offstein, Germany, or the acquisition of Meatless B.V., a supplier of texturising solutions for plant-based meat and fish alternatives, BENEO offers a robust and growing portfolio to support the development of delicious plant-based products.

Expanding plant-based catalogues to include a greater variety of choices that not only appeal to the taste buds, but also meet clean(er) label and sustainability expectations will be key to setting up the stage for success in the year ahead.

1. Dataessential: Food Bytes: 2023 Food Trends, November 2022

2. FMCG Gurus: Health and Wellness: Plant for the Planet in 2022, February 2022

3. BENEO Global Plant-Based Survey 2021 – Insites Consulting conducted an online quantitative survey in July 2021 in Spain, France, Germany, Poland, UK, US, Brazil, Australia, China and Russia: min. 1000 consumers/ country = 11,990 consumers in total (Filter: Flexitarian)

4. Innova Market Insights: Top ten trends for 2023, October 2022

5. BENEO Global Plant-Based Survey 2021 (Filter: Flexitarian)

6. BENEO Global Plant-Based Survey 2021 (Filter: Flexitarian)

we agree that health is a right not a privilege it’s time to build a fairer healthier world for everyone everywhere

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Plant-Based - Meat Products are Set to Take Over the Capital Market of Meat & Chicken

meat substitutes”. The report said consumers in India have a long history of consuming soybeans, jackfruit, dairy, and pulses for protein and added they view plant-based meat substitutes as “highly innovative, trendy, healthy and environmentally friendly”.

Shoppers in India, the report suggested, are looking to buy plant-based meat products “due to their perceived health benefits, including the prevention of non-communicable diseases, digestive disorders and obesity”. Covid-19 has also fuelled “the rising popularity” of plant-based meat in India products because they are viewed as “immunity-boosting,” the report noted.

The plant-based meat market in India is still in its infancy, but investors and entrepreneurs are generally optimistic about the sector’s potential, even if there is some uncertainty about the true extent to which the market can grow.

India is viewed as a significant emerging market for plant-based meat products, but creating a sustainable category will be difficult. According to a November OECD report, India will consume six million tonnes of meat in 2020, or 4.6 kilograms per person. Non-vegetarian meals are now consumed by nearly half of India’s population once a week.

At the same time, there is a growing interest in modern-style plant-based meat products in the country. India’s market is still in its early stages, but it is growing. According to Carmen Bryan, a consumer analyst at GlobalData, the Indian meat substitutes market generated retail sales of US$220.8 million in 2020 and is expected to reach $292.9 million by 2025, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. In May 2021, the

By Sairaj Dhond Founder and CEO of Wakao Foods

US department of agriculture published a report that described India as “a burgeoning market for plant-based

India, like China, has a history of its own type of meat-alternative products, with a number of domestic businesses offering soy chunks and soy nuggets for decades but, it is claimed, without really building demand or a market.

Because of the country’s size and the importance of local cuisines, India is more complicated. Every state has different taste preferences. Consumers in the northern city of Lucknow may prefer the subtlety of galouti kebabs, whereas complex chicken chettinad is preferred throughout much of southern India.There is a growing interest in identifying emerging markets that may offer lucrative opportunities for plantbased meat producers. Because of the size of the potential prize in India, the country is attracting attention and investment, but companies looking to build businesses should be aware that much work lies ahead and that, even then, a market may not form to compete with those in more developed economies.

Plant-based meats appear to have peaked before they could really take off. During the first few weeks of the pandemic, retail fake-meat sales increased by 200%, and the publicity helped the sector secure more than $2 billion in funding. However, with the exception of a brief spike in 2020, the foods have not sold well. According to the Plant-Based Foods Association’s most recent data, sales in the United States will remain flat in 2021. Global annual retail dollar sales growth has also slowed. They increased by 17% last year to $5.6 billion, after increasing by 33% in 2020.

According to the association, an estimated 79 million US households are purchasing meatless meat alternatives, which is little changed from 2020. The question remains whether customers buying comparable products are simply trying new foods or returning to buy more. So far, retail data shows that repeat purchasing rates have increased by inches, rising from 78% of custom-

ers in 2020 to 79% in 2021. “Repeat purchasing is where plantbased meat hasn’t cracked the code,” said Catha Groot, a partner at Rad-

WheatBased Binder Optimises Kebab Production

Halal-certified Lory® Bind range from Loryma ensures process-stable and authentically firm meat

Ingredients specialist Loryma has developed halal-certified, wheatbased binding ingredients which give sliced and minced meat rotisserie skewers the desired cut strength and stability. The special binders consisting mainly of wheat starch and wheat protein

minimise weight loss due to excellent freeze-thaw stability, thus promising a high-performance alternative to soy-based binding systems.

The wheat starch gives the binders a high water-binding capacity, and the wheat protein – also known as gluten – optimises and stabilises the texture. In addition, the binding components are sensory neutral, so they don’t affect

icle Impact, the fund co-founded by Kat Taylor, the wife of billionaire Tom Steyer. “Plant-based dairy is significantly ahead.

the typical meat flavour. Lory® Bind is added during the production process in the usual way.

Norbert Klein, Head of R&D at Loryma, comments: “Wheat is at least as suitable as soy in this context due to its functional properties. It’s also easily available thanks to our European farming areas and, despite a general increase in costs in the recent months, it’s still cost-efficient.”

Pomegranate Fruit Extract Linked to Improved Skin Health

According to a recent in-vitro study conducted by EURECAT and published in the International Journal of Food Sciences[1], Euromed’s pomegranate fruit extract Pomanox® may reduce unaesthetic signs of skin ageing such as hyperpigmentation, skin dryness and loss of elasticity, by reducing melanogenesis and oxidative stress while modulating collagen and hyaluronic acid metabolism. The results from this proof of concept, in-vitro assay with human foreskin fibroblast cells, therefore suggest that Pomanox® is a promising ingredient for nutricosmetic and beauty-from-within applications.

Skin photoageing is primarily caused by ultraviolet radiation and can lead to the degradation of skin extracellular matrix components, resulting in hyperpigmentation and loss of skin elasticity. In this area, polyphenols have become of great interest because of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and healthy ageing properties.

Pomanox®P30 is standardised to more

than 50% total polyphenols and not less than 30% punicalagins a+ß, making it an ideal candidate for skin ageing studies. Multiple assays evaluated the effects of various concentrations of Pomanox® on human fibroblast Hs68 cells under normal and UV-induced photoageing conditions. The inhibitory effects of Pomanox® on tyrosinase activity were also investigated.

Analysis showed that under normal conditions, Pomanox® significantly increased the collagen and hyaluronic acid metabolism. In cells exposed to UV, both preventive and regenerative treatments with Pomanox® positively influenced hyaluronic acid metabolism and decreased ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) levels. A significant decrease in levels of MMP-1, the main inhibitor of collagen synthesis, was also verified. Finally, Pomanox® showed a significant inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity, thus potentially reducing hyperpigmentation by decreasing melanin synthesis.

In summary, the results highlight strong

properties of Pomanox® in the modulation of several skin health-associated parameters. A clinical study is now being prepared to further investigate and explore these insights.

Pomanox® is a standardised pomegranate fruit extract obtained from pomegranates cultivated in Mediterranean regions of Spain through sustainable farming. It is available in organic form and extracted with an eco-friendly, water-only proprietary technology. Beyond skin health, Pomanox® is also known to provide proven benefits for cardiovascular and metabolic health, sports nutrition, mood and cognitive health.

Pomanox® positively modulates skin health-related parameters in normal and UV-induced photoaging conditions in Hs68 human fibroblast cellsFoods; https://doi.org/10.1080/09637486.2022 .2152189

[1] Roger Mariné-Casadó et al. (2022); Pomegranate natural extract

Plant-Based Breakthrough: New carrot-based EXBERRY® color enables red meat alternatives to change shade during cooking

Abreakthrough development from EXBERRY® Coloring Foods supplier GNT means manufacturers can now create clean-label red meat alternatives that change color during the cooking process.

Made from carrots and emulsifier-free, the EXBERRY® Compound Red range allows plant-based products to imitate the color of raw meat before appearing to become rare, medium, or well done when heated. The range can be used in combination with different EXBERRY® Coloring Foods to create tailormade shades for meat substitute products including burgers, sausages, minced meat, and meatballs.

The innovation is the result of GNT’s investment in and collaboration with ETH Zurich spin-off company microPow, which developed a patented technology to encapsulate ingredients. The natural encapsulation solution melts when the temperature increases to release the color concentrate.

Developing meat substitutes that match up to modern consumer expectations has previously proved a significant challenge for manufacturers. Research shows that replicating the appearance and behavior of animal protein is essential to maximize plant-based products’ appeal, particularly among those who also eat meat.1 However, 69% of consumers worldwide also say it is important that meat substitutes are naturally formulated.2

With the launch of EXBERRY® Compound Autumn Red and EXBERRY®

Compound Fall Forest Red, it is now possible to create highly realistic red meat alternatives while supporting the clean and clear ingredient lists that shoppers demand.

Frederik Hoeck, Managing Director at GNT Group, said: “Today’s consumers want clean-label meat substitutes that look and behave just like animal products – and the EXBERRY® Compound Red range can provide the perfect solution. It allows products to mimic the appearance of animal protein both before and after cooking, opening up exciting new possibilities for the next generation of plant-based meat.”

Based on the principle of coloring food

with food, EXBERRY® products are made from edible fruit, vegetables, and plants using gentle, physical processes such as chopping and boiling.

To ensure the highest level of quality and year-round availability, GNT controls the entire EXBERRY® supply chain, with cultivation and harvesting monitored by the company’s agricultural engineers.

1 He, J. et al. ‘A review of research on plant-based meat alternatives: Driving forces, history, manufacturing, and consumer attitudes’ Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety (2020)

2 FMCG Gurus ‘Meat & Plant-Based – Global Report’ (2022)

Alternative Proteins Constitute at least a Quarter of all Food by 2040 : Gea International Chef Survey

At least a quarter of all food could be produced from alternative proteins by 2040. This was one of the findings of a GEA-commissioned survey of 1,000 chefs in eleven countries, which the machinery and plant manufacturer presented today in Frankfurt. Of the chefs surveyed, 43 percent believe that the proportion of all meals prepared with alternative proteins will reach between 26 and 50 percent by 2040. Nearly one in four of the respondents expects alternative proteins to constitute more than 50 percent of all food by 2040. These more sustainable alternatives to meat, dairy, seafood and eggs are derived from plants or produced through microbes or cell cultivation.

the next decade, with one in two chefs expecting a high level of interest. For cultivated and cell-based proteins, 45 percent of chefs predict strong growth in demand. In addition, no less than 36 percent of chefs expect to see a considerable rise in customer demand for insect-based proteins and foods. The chefs confirmed that, in many cases, plant-based products are now also a compelling alternative from a quality and price perspective. However, around 70 percent of chefs consider quality improvements crucial to the further success of novel alternatives going forward.

Technology accelerates path to New Food Frontiers

Conducted by Danish market research agency Lindberg International in August 2022, the survey also shows that chefs have already begun the transition to new foods. Roughly 90 percent said they are already using meat and dairy alternatives, with a good one in three even using them to a significant extent.

“Alternative proteins hold the promise of helping feed a growing population using fewer resources. As such, they can play an essential role in making our food system more sustainable and reliable,” explains GEA CEO Stefan Klebert.

“GEA enables the technological development and commercial production of alternative proteins. This puts us at the center of a defining moment that will very likely shape the future of nutrition.”

“This survey of chefs was very appealing to us as market researchers and we are delighted to have been able to connect with this exciting target group

on three continents,” adds Michael Lindberg, CEO of Lindberg International. “Our survey findings show that chefs across the globe are very open to alternative proteins. Many are also conscious of the fact that these novel products and ingredients could have a pivotal impact on our future nutrition and want to actively promote this shift.”

Alternative foods increasingly in demand from restaurant goers

Around 90 percent of chefs have observed growing interest in alternatives to conventional products, with over 40 percent reporting a high degree of increased demand. According to the survey respondents, environmental (79 percent), health (74 percent) and ethical reasons (50 percent), such as the desire for higher animal welfare, are driving this trend.

Nearly 95 percent of those surveyed feel that their restaurant patrons will demand more plant-based proteins over

The chef survey forms part of GEA’s New Food Frontiers report, which examines the potential of new foods to provide food security for the world’s growing population. A widespread shift to alternative proteins not only has the potential to meet the food needs of future generations, but could also help solve global challenges – from the availability of staple foods and antibiotic resistance to climate change and sustainable economic development.

For GEA, the subject of food security is closely tied to its purpose “Engineering for a better world.” “New food is an ideal field for a company like GEA, which has longstanding experience in the food sector and proven technological expertise. This enables us to play a key role in shaping and promoting the development of this young industry – and to live up to our sustainability commitment,” says Stefan Klebert.

Cooking Oil Market To Hit US$

364.9 Billion By 2033

According to Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider, the cooking oil account for US$ 217.5 billion and are predicted to reach a market value of US$ 364.9 billion by 2033-end. This is because the global cooking oil market is forecasted to exhibit expansion at 5.3% CAGR over the next ten years.

Increasing use of vegetable oil for the production of biodiesel and a growing focus on sustainability are prime aspects that are anticipated to create a highly opportunistic growth scope for cooking oil companies in the future. Advancements in the oil manufacturing process and growing demand for sustainable extraction processes are also expected to boost sales of cooking oil over the next ten years.

“High Demand for Ready-to-serve Foods to Push Consumption of Cooking Oil”

Consumers in the United States have been witnessing a hike in demand for ready-to-serve and convenience foods owing to the adoption of hectic lifestyles and the growing working women population. The aforementioned factors are anticipated to primarily shape the cooking oil consumption trends in the country across the forecast period.

Government initiatives to promote low-cholesterol edible oil to maintain public health, high consumer spending potential, shifting consumer preference

toward healthy foods, and high demand for processed frozen foods are other prospects that are slated to drive shipments of cooking oil in the future.

What is the Demand Outlook for Cooking Oil in Europe?

“Organic & Clean-label Vegetable Oil to Gain Popularity”

Consumer preferences in European countries have changed drastically in recent years owing to an increased focus on health and the adoption of clean eating habits as the importance of preventive healthcare bolsters. Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are known for imports of premium sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, and olive oil. Peanut oil for cooking and frying is anticipated to gain popularity in the European region over the coming years and create lucrative business scope for cooking oil providers in this region.

Implementation of stringent food safety mandates to ensure high-quality edible oil sales is also expected to promote market development in European countries over the next ten years. Growing consumption of organic and clean-label food products is also expected to promote demand for healthy kitchen oil and other healthy cooking ingredients. High production of olive oil in the European region also makes it the biggest exporter of olive oil in the world and thus, offers attractive business opportunities for olive oil suppliers.

Competitive Landscape

Companies are focusing on launching new products that help them maximize their sales potential and gain a competitive advantage over other cooking oil suppliers.

In December 2022, Reliance Industries, a multinational conglomerate based in India announced the launch of its own FMCG brand called “Independence”. Under this new brand, the company is projected to foray into the cooking oil business.

Growing use of cooking oils in the sustainable fuel and biodiesel production industry is also expected to provide further impetus to market development and offer remunerative business scope for prime cooking oil manufacturers going forward.

https://www.factmr.com/report/670/cooking-oil-market

Maspex first to Introduce Dometwist Closure with Tethered Cap for Sig’s Carton Bottle Combidome

Maspex Wadowice Group, one of the largest food manufacturers in Central and Eastern Europe, continues its close partnership with SIG as it becomes the first to offer SIG’s domeTwist closure with tethered cap (domeTwist TC) for SIG’s unique carton bottle combidome. This is an important step forward on Maspex’ sustainability roadmap, as it leads the way in adding innovative solutions to its juice ranges.

The company recently launched its Tymbark Vega juices in combidome 500 ml with domeTwist TC, followed by Tymbark juice in 1,000 ml combidome with tethered cap. The retail launch by Maspex comes well ahead of the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive, which states that all single-use beverage containers must come with caps that stay attached to the pack by July 2024, so they can be easily disposed of and recycled with the rest of the pack.

SIG’s domeTwist closure with tethered cap does not compromise on convenience for consumers and is compatible with SIG’s existing filling lines and closure applicators, demonstrating the true flexibility and adaptability of SIG’s packaging and filling solutions for customers at minimum cost. This provides maximum planning and investment security for European beverage producers such as Maspex, who must comply with the EU’s regulatory requirements.

Karina Ostatek, Senior Marketing Manager Nordics, Poland & Ukraine at SIG: “Maspex is committed to continuously improving their production technologies and product ranges to find optimal and environmentally conscious solutions. Being the first worldwide to use SIG’s domeTwist with tethered cap on the Tymbark juice ranges in the unique combidome carton bottle, means they are offering increasingly

environmentally aware consumers the opportunity to play their part in minimizing plastic waste leakage into the environment.”

SIG’s domeTwist TC closure can be firmly fixed to the desired position by pressing it down to the top of the pack until it gets into its ‘parking mode’. The cap doesn’t have to be held down and the consumer can easily pour and drink from the carton without any cap interference. For closing, the cap just needs to be lifted slightly before being closed the usual way. Tethering even adds convenience, as the closure is always at hand and never gets lost. High consumer acceptance for both drinking and pouring is already market research proven.

Karina Ostatek: “It’s not only consumers who are becoming more environmentally conscious, but also retailers. Customers such as Maspex are facing increased demand for sustainable packaging from European regulators, especially where single use plastic is concerned. Both Maspex and SIG, by working closely together, are staying one step ahead of legislation, as we both strive to make our products even more sustainable.”

SIG’s domeTwist closure with tethered cap for combidome is one of three closure innovations for SIG’s most popular packs in Europe. Additionally, combiSwift and combiMaxx closures with tethered cap are also available for SIG’s family-size carton packs.

Revolutionizing Food Processing: The Impact of Industry 4.0

Impact of industry 4.0 on food processing industry:

Industry 4.0 is transforming the food processing industry in several ways. The implementation of smart technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics are allowing food processors to optimize their production processes and improve the efficiency of their operations. This results in better quality food products, reduced waste, and increased productivity. With the use of sensors and smart devices, food processors can accurately track the temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors throughout the food supply chain. This allows for real-time monitoring of food safety and quality, reducing the risk of foodborne illness and improving the overall food safety system.

food processing is crucial for the food industry to stay ahead of the competition and meet the demands of consumers. The use of robotics and automation enables food processors to operate 24/7, increasing production capacity and reducing downtime. With the use of automated systems, food processors can better manage the handling and packaging of food products, reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring that their products are of the highest quality. Hence, with the rapid advancement of technology, the food processing industry is poised to reap the benefits of Industry 4.0 and stay ahead of the curve in terms of innovation and competitiveness.

Arjun. N Founder and CEO, SolutionBuggy

Industry 4.0 refers to the integration of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, and robotics into manufacturing and industrial practices. This integration aims to improve efficiency, customization, and connectivity in the production process. Revolutionizing

Another impact of Industry 4.0 on the food processing industry is the increased use of automation and robotics in production processes. This not only improves efficiency and reduces the risk of human error, but it also leads to increased safety in the workplace. Overall, Industry 4.0 is driving innovation and improving the competitiveness of the food processing industry.

Benefits of revolutionizing food processing with Industry 4.0:

• Increased Efficiency: Revolutionizing food processing with Industry 4.0 leads to increased efficiency in the production process. The use of advanced technology such as automation and robotics enhances the speed, accuracy and consistency of food processing operations. This leads to higher productivity and reduced waste, thereby increasing profitability for food processing companies.

• Improved Food Safety: The integration of technology in food processing enables real-time monitoring and tracking of food products from farm to table. This

helps to identify and address food safety issues more effectively, reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring that food products are safe for consumption.

• Enhanced Quality Control: Industry 4.0 technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence can be used to optimize food processing operations, reducing the risk of human error and improving the overall quality of food products. With the use of predictive maintenance, food processing companies can anticipate equipment failures and take proactive measures to avoid them.

• Sustainable Operations: Revolutionizing food processing with Industry 4.0 also helps to promote sustainable operations by reducing energy consumption and waste. Advanced technology enables food processing companies to optimize their operations and reduce their environmental footprint, improving their overall sustainability.

• Competitive Advantage: Food processing companies that adopt Industry 4.0 technology can gain a competitive advantage over their rivals. The increased efficiency, improved food safety, enhanced quality control and sustainable operations offered by Industry 4.0 technology help to differentiate food processing companies from their competitors and attract new customers. With the increasing demand for sustainable and high-quality food products, Industry 4.0 technology can help food processing companies to stay ahead of the competition and thrive in the long term.

• Enhanced Traceability: One of the key benefits of Industry 4.0 in food processing is the ability to track products from farm to plate. This increased transparency and traceability provides consumers with the information they need to make informed choices about the food they eat, and helps com-

panies ensure that their products are safe, sustainable, and of the highest quality.

Challenges in implementing industry 4.0 in food processing industries:

The implementation of Industry 4.0 in the food processing industry is facing several challenges that need to be addressed. Most importantly, the cost of upgrading the current infrastructure with new technologies such as IoT devices, robots and sensors is a major barrier for many small and medium-sized enterprises. These companies often struggle to find the funds to upgrade their factories, making it difficult to implement Industry 4.0 solutions.

Another major challenge is the lack of

expertise and skills in Industry 4.0 technologies, particularly among the workforce. Training and upskilling employees is essential for the successful implementation of Industry 4.0, but it can be difficult to find qualified trainers, and the training process can be time-consuming and expensive. In addition, the adoption of Industry 4.0 solutions may require a change in the traditional ways of working, which can also be a challenge for employees who are resistant to change. Therefore, companies need to invest in training and upskilling their workforce to ensure a smooth transition to Industry 4.0.

Future of industry 4.0 in food processing industry:

The future of Industry 4.0 in the food processing industry is promising and has the potential to revolutionize the food processing industry, making it more efficient, sustainable, and profitable in the long run. The future of the food processing industry will continue to be shaped by Industry 4.0, and companies that adopt these technologies will be well positioned to stay competitive and meet the growing demand for high-quality, safe, and sustainable food products. If you are looking to start and scale up your food processing industry, contact SolutionBuggy and get all the services under one roof. SolutionBuggy being recognised as India’s largest food consulting platform, has more than 1,500 food consultants to handhold you in every step to solve all business and technical challenges.

Asahi Kasei adds another feather in its cap by pioneering into environment friendly double line Zipper Bag with innovative anti slip technology for the millennials on the go

double lock technology will keep the crispiness and taste intact. Curries, purees and even marinated meat can be stored in the refrigerator odour-free and fresh since the leak-proof zipper keeps liquid dishes from spilling or leaking - making storing and labelling in separate bags as well as snacking on the go easy and less clumsy.

Speaking of the launch, Luve Oberoi, Sr. Marketing Manager, Asahi Kasei, said “For millennials who are running short of time and are looking for a convenient and healthy food storage option, Zipper Bag from Asahi Kasei is the right choice. Innovative, with first ever anti slip and labelling technology, the product will be an essential household name.” He further added, “The product assures the consumer of smell-free, fresh meals even after a week. Labelling the items will further help in being organised and completely free of worrying about what to prepare for the next meal.”

India-wide release: Japan’s No. 1 premium wrap and silicone-coated foil & sheet brand, Asahi Kasei, has launched its latest product - double line Zipper Bag - in addition to its existing range of products in India. In-keeping with the consumer requirements, the Zipper Bag will be revolutionary in the kitchen product segment vis-a-vis its competitors. The innovative product is not just handy to homemakers and remote workers but convenient for office goers and students too, who can use it as takeaway to keep food fresh for a long time.

Designed to be leak-proof, this unique product is need of the hour. The unique seal-tight double line zipper gives it an edge over other similar products available in the market. Easy to open and close with anti-slip technology,

it can be used for multiple purposes such as freezing/refrigerating, storing at room temperature and even carrying cooked food to the office, picnics or while travelling. Asahi Kasei’s zipper bags can also be used to cook and store a week’s worth of food and smoothie preparations. By keeping even chopped fruits fresh for long and helping one manage their meals and fruit combos for the week in a hasslefree way, the zipper bag allows one to maintain a healthy regime easily. The novel labelling space used on the bag lets one organise a week’s food efficiently by using the label to indicate the designated day or type of meal stored in the zipper bag.

Savouries, crispy snacks, puffed rice, dry fruits - one can store various types of food items in the zipper bag as the

Asahi Kasei’s latest tech-based product will definitely make meal prep simpler and storage of foods easier, thus saving time for homemakers, office-goers, working couples and nuclear families. From - cooked food, snacks to raw vegetables, fruits and meat - it is a perfect product for storage and takeaway. Having been used in Japan for over 50 years, their products demonstrate their durability and quality.

The Zipper Bag is now available in stores like Big Bazaar, Spencers, Le Marche, Foodhall in Delhi NCR, Reliance stores and many general trade stores in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kerala, Punjab and also online at Big Basket, Amazon and Flipkart at a price point of INR 229/.

The premium zipper bag to keep all your meals fresh

How Product Inspection Helps Combat Rising Manufacturing Costs

quality and safety demands. There is another dimension to their purpose, though – one that is related to boosting productivity and controlling costs. Accurate checkweighing, for example, can ensure tighter production tolerances and reduce waste, helping food manufacturers to get the maximum yield out of expensive ingredients and raw materials, improving cost performance. Checkweighing, with the correct controls, also helps food manufacturers to meet weights and measures legislation.

Inflationary pressures for Asian food manufacturers have been less severe of late than for those based in other parts of the world, but in both 2022 and 2023 they are still forecast to grow, according to figures from Asian Development Outlook released in September 2022.

The forecasts show a regional inflation rate of 4.5% (revised up from an April 2022 forecast of 3.7%) for 2022, while 2023’s expected regional inflation rate was increased from April’s forecast of 3.1% to 4% for the year.

As stated, these figures are much lower than those for economies such as the US and the Euro area, but the report highlights that they are also significantly higher than inflation rates experienced above across Asia in the period immediately before the COVID pandemic, suggesting, it says, that “an increasing deviation from more normal price dynamics” is occurring.

Focusing on solutions

Given the situation, how can food manufacturers look to combat rising input costs? One way is to focus their minds upon efficiency, productivity and waste reduction, and in this quest, product inspection technology will be a valuable tool. Everyone appreciates the importance of product inspection systems such as checkweighing, metal detection and x-ray inspection for the purposes of complying with product

An ideal set-up would see a checkweigher equipped with highly accurate Electro-Magnetic Force Restoration (EMFR) load cells used in conjunction with feedback control and statistics software. This delivers precision weighing at high speeds and enables manufacturers to set precise fill levels for a pack to save raw material. Feedback control monitors the fill level and automatically communicates with the filling machine to ensure tight control. The statistics software records the fill level of each pack for audit purposes, so that the manufacturer has proof of compliance with relevant weighing regulations, such as the Measuring Instruments Directive (MID).

The potential savings from operating in this way are substantial. For example, using a Mettler-Toledo C-Series checkweighing system with FlashCell™ technology, a production line manufacturing one hundred 1kg packs of flour per minute across three eight-hour shifts per day could save almost 5kg of flour every day, if operating within strict MID regulations. If the manufacturer is not required to comply with MID regulations, the saving could be 1,170kg per day, based on a 10g per pack allowed underfill. In the course of a 300-day production year, this equates to more than 350,000kg of flour, costing more than €185,000 at a wholesale price of

Escalating manufacturing costs are proving a challenge to food manufacturers. Rob Rogers, Senior Advisor Food Safety & Regulation of Mettler-Toledo outlines how product inspection technology can help to mitigate the impact of cost pressures.

Rob Rogers, Senior Advisor Food Safety & Regulation of Mettler-Toledo

€0.53 per kg. The message is that on a fast-running production line, being able to set tight fill levels can equate to substantial raw material savings over the course of a production run.

Inspection technologies

Modern metal detection systems incorporate numerous features specifically developed to help users to reduce manufacturing costs. Among these are facilities such as Reduced Test Mode and Automatic Test Systems, which enhance productivity by requiring fewer or less labour-intensive production stops. This improves productivity, reduces downtime and reduces waste.

In addition, food manufacturers can use modern metal detection technology with product “clustering” software, which enables multiple different products to be inspected on a single setting, so there is less need for costly product changeovers and stoppages. Gravity fall and pipeline metal detection systems are particularly useful at the raw ingredients stage of food manufacturing, inspecting bulk volumes of material such as granules and powders, or slurries and pastes respectively, at high speeds. These also incorporate high-speed reject devices that efficiently remove metal contaminated ingredients from the production line.

Similarly, x-ray inspection can also be used with bulk volumes of unpackaged product, removing contaminated ingredients before further value-adding processes are carried out to manufacture the product. This can save a great deal of waste and cost further along the line, reducing the numbers of manufactured products that need to be rejected, as well as the time and labour costs involved in dealing with such production interruptions.

Even with packaged products, x-ray inspection can also save costs, by inspecting and rejecting single contaminated products, instead of having to reject entire multi-packs when only part of the pack is contaminated. As well as the food waste here, there is packaging material waste too – another input cost that manufacturers need to keep control of.

Modern metal detection systems incorporate numerous features specifically developed to help users to reduce manufacturing costs. Among these are facilities such as Reduced Test Mode and Automatic Test Systems, which enhance productivity by requiring fewer or less labourintensive production stops. This improves productivity, reduces downtime & reduces waste.

Energy Consumption and Digitalisation

Two further aspects should be highlighted. The first of these is in the critical area of energy consumption. Investing in the latest product inspection machinery delivers an immediate and ongoing benefit for users, through these being highly energy efficient. For example, the latest generation of x-ray systems from Mettler-Toledo Safeline use as little as a fifth of the energy consumption rates of other solutions. We calculate that, based on a saving of 5 kWh per day and running 300 days a year, a manufacturer could save 1.5 MWh per year with a single x-ray machine, thereby reducing energy bills and enhancing the company’s environmental credentials.

The other factor to consider is the impact of automatic collection and storage of production line data using the latest product inspection systems. Manual, paper-based collection of this data requires an employee to spend time that could be used more profitably on other tasks. It is also prone to mistakes, and there is a danger of records being lost or misplaced.

Compare this to automatic data collection, which is always accessible, accurate and up-to-date, and can be trusted as a basis for standards compliance. It can also provide insight as to how and

where efficiency and productivity can be further improved, with potential for time and cost savings. While it is true that digitalization is not without its own costs in terms of investment in new or upgraded systems, the potential efficiencies that can be gained from the latest technology result in a comparatively quick return on investment. Additionally, improved maintenance and support provision leads to reduced downtime and more hours of optimal machine performance.

In conclusion, the battle against rising costs is a constant one for food manufacturers, and this year it has certainly become even more pressing. Increasingly, they need to find smart solutions, and a renewed look at product inspection technology can certainly help them to mitigate spiralling manufacturing costs.

Metal detection technology helps Jewel Date realise cost savings

Jewel Date had a manufacturing challenge with its old product inspection system that was costing days of production time and high energy costs. The producer of whole dates, date butters, date sugars and date pastes was having to freeze its date paste in 18 kg bulk packages before inspection, because the existing system could not handle hot paste. The result was a fiveday delay, complicated logistics, and a great deal of extra energy use.

Its solution was to install the Mettler-Toledo Profile Advantage Pipeline metal detection system, which can handle hot paste. With no need to freeze bulk volumes, rejected paste now comes in much smaller quantities, and the delays and logistical issues have been eliminated. The company has realised massive productivity gains and cost savings, says Operations Manager Steve Luicci:

“The Profile Advantage system saves us an enormous amount of time, labour and utilities. I can’t begin to imagine how much time and money it has saved. Most importantly, it’s twice as sensitive as our previous system and has almost no false rejects.”

www.mt.com/pi-combatcosts

Mespack and Hoffer Strengthen their Partnership by Creating an Innovative and Sustainable Solution

tions, such as the testing of recyclable-ready material and various types of fixtures, among others.

Within the framework of their partnership agreement, Mespack and Hoffer are pleased to announce the market launch of an innovative and sustainable solution for flexible packaging: the P-15 spout and cap. This new closure can be used with Mespack’s wide range of horizontal form-fill-seal machines. These machines were already operable with the Hoffer P-20 closure model. Mespack equipment can also be adapted to operate with various recyclable material structures.

The P-15 closure has been redesigned: it is lightweight and has 46% less plastic. Most importantly, it

has been designed to be compatible with mono layer materials, which are more recyclable than products made of multiple plastics or mixed materials. Mono layer materials use less energy during the recycling process (dividing or separating of substances needed is eliminated), thus higher quality recycled products are created.

Furthermore, one of Mespack’s most versatile machines, the H180FE model, installed at the new Dow Pack Studios innovation center in Freeport, TX (USA), has been adapted (retrofitted) to operate with this new closure. The equipment is available with a variety of collabora-

This co-creation is an impressive illustration of effective collaboration between multiple partners to develop a better and more sustainable solution for flexible packaging. The new P-15 closure offers a high quality, sustainable, and recyclable packaging solution as more regions around the world, including Europe, move toward full circular economies and the regulations mandating complete recyclable plastic packaging before 2030 approach. Hoffer closures have been fundamental to the recyclable spouted stand-up pouch projects that have been developed over recent years between the two companies, with the objective of offering quality and sustainable flexible packaging solutions to the market.

From February 7th to 9th, Mespack and Hoffer will be present at WestPack, the trade fair of solutions that are driving the packaging and logistics industry forward. The event will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center, in Anaheim, California (USA). You can visit them at booths 5226 (Mespack) and 2397 (Hoffer/ located at the coinciding event, MD&M West).

Berry, Coca-Cola Collaborate to implement Tethered caps in EU markets

After winning a prestigious sustainability award at PACK EXPO International last month for this circular solution, Berry Global Group, Inc. (NYSE: BERY) is the first plastic packaging manufacturer in Europe to supply The Coca-Cola Company with a lightweight, tethered closure for its carbonated soft drinks in PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles. Bolstered by the European Union (EU) Single-Use Plastics Directive, Berry’s new tethered closure for Coca-Cola is designed to remain intact with the bottle – making it less likely to be littered and more likely to be recycled.

Over 400 million closures have been successfully applied to date on CocaCola bottling lines in Germany, Spain, and the UK, with the rollout to continue to the company’s other European plants.

“Innovation in packaging design is key to helping our customers meet their ambitious sustainability goals while delivering attractive, functional solutions that meet and exceed constantly evolving market demands,” said Thierry Bernet , VP Circular Economy & Innovation at Berry Global. “Because PET bottles are the most recycled plastic package type, this collaboration has tremendous potential to help keep resources in use and out of our environment.”

EU Directive 2019/204 requires plastic beverage bottles up to 3 litres in size to have closures that remain attached to

the container throughout their intended use from July 2024. And this collaboration helps progress Coca-Cola’s goal to make 100% of its packaging recyclable globally by 2025.

Maintaining a convenient and comfortable user experience, in addition to product safety and security, Berry’s new tethered closure for Coca-Cola features a special tamper-evident band that, once broken, does not impact the closure’s ability to remain attached and is positioned out of the way for drinking but can easily be reclosed. When open, it provides a wide angle for easy access to the beverage and comfortable on-the-go drinking.

Berry’s closure for Coca-Cola is based on its patented CompactFlip hinge

solution. It is the first to be used in conjunction with the new lightweight 26mm GME30.40 neck, developed by the Cetie (The International Technical Centre for Bottling) Single-Use Plastics Group, of which Berry is a member. The new neck finish delivers an over 1g saving in PET compared to the current PCO-1881 neck. Combined with a 10% weight reduction from the Berry closure, the new pack is now around 20% lighter than the PCO-1881 version.

Berry offers a wide range of circular, tethered closure solutions to meet the varying needs of individual products and brands. For more information, see www.berryglobal.com/en/news/ articles/14046-berry-global-wins-prestigious-sustainability-award.

Biodegradable Food Packaging

Growing population, requires more food. Therefore, production and safety of food is the most important task. Due to urbanization and globalization, food demand and its safety is very important. Food packaging has become important to protect food from contamination, dust, spill, atmospheric conditions and for safe transportation. It also preserves the nutritional value of food and decrease the wastage of food. According to report of centres for disease control and prevention more than 70 million people suffer from food related diseases yearly. It causes the economic burden and deaths.

For both storage and safety of food, variety of materials as packaging materials are being used throughout the globe. The main requirement of food packaging is to protect the food from deterioration and maintain the quality for some period of time. Different types of packaging materials like glass, paper, biodegradable polymer, etc., are being used. In current scenario this is shifting towards the development of sustainable packaging material which also get the preference in market.

In the context of global environmental

challenges, the relevance of research aimed at obtaining ecofriendly packaging materials is growing. A modern “green” trend is the development of various types of biodegradable packaging for food industry. Special interest in the World in recent years has been shown to biodegradable food packaging materials that have both eco-properties and progressive consumer qualities. The conclusions of scientific research confirm the possibility of using some of plant and animal components as a proper alternative to synthetic materials derived from petroleum products. Films and containers made of biodegradable polymers are used for packaging meat, dairy products, baking and other products. Another common use is disposable bottles and cups for various drinks, plates and pallets. The intended consumer market for such materials may be the production of bags for collecting and composting food waste, as well as bags for supermarkets. Despite the advantages, the production of bio-polymers has economic barriers and negative environmental effects.

Eco-friendly materials

Whether sustainable or not, packaging

poses its own challenges for restaurants. Styrofoam, the go-to material for takeout for so long, takes 500 years just to start breaking down. The challenge is that these petroleum-based solutions meet food-handling requirements better than any readily available eco-friendly solutions. These single-use plastics keep food fresher for longer when compared with ecofriendly solutions that can be a lot more porous and don’t seal as well. But the easy alternative is seldom the right one.

Packaging made from compostable materials is the go-to solution for eateries looking for sustainable packaging. Sugarcane, bamboo, mushroom, or seaweed are the most common materials, but packaging made from other post-consumer waste, like bio-packaging, is also typical. In the right environment, these materials can break down into nutrient-rich dirt in as little as 12 weeks. Certifications may indicate products compostable at home or only suitable for industrial compost facilities. The single-use plastic ban enforced earlier this year by the Hon’ble Govt. has brought about a change, particularly in the F&B industry. The industry has grown manifold in the last 15 years and so have woes related to service and packaging. The need of the hour is to find innovative solutions for these issues.

According to a report by Expert Market Research titled, ‘Global Biodegradable Plastic Market Report and Forecast 2023-2028’, the Global Biodegradable Plastic Market is expected to grow at CAGR Of 14.20% in the Forecast Period of 2023-2028.

During the projection period, the packaging segment is expected to account for a significant portion of the global biodegradable plastic business. It is one of the fastest-growing sectors that uses biodegradable plastics to package a variety of goods, such as wrapping papers, cups, and food-storage boxes, among other things. This increase can be ascribed to consumers’ greater eco-consciousness and the government’s strict policies enacted to combat rising pollution levels around the world.

According to a report published by Greenpeace in December 2020, ecofriendly packaging practices used by multiple retailers, such as Carrefour using tapioca-based plastic bags in Malaysia and Singapore, Costco replacing all plastic straws in the US with paper straws, and 7-11 using half petroleum and half plant-based plastic coverings for onigiri in Japan, among others, are providing new growth opportunities to the market.

The fundamental driver of the worldwide biodegradable plastic business is consumer awareness of environmental issues and a preference for sustainable alternatives. As a result, businesses around the world are investing in research and development of sustainable manufacturing methods in order to meet consumer expectations while lowering their carbon footprints.

In this case, biodegradable polymers are an environmentally friendly solution. Furthermore, countries all over the world are enacting tight rules and restrictions on the use of traditional plastics, thereby encouraging the use of biodegradable plastics. These characteristics are likely to give the biodegradable plastic sector a substantial boost.

Thailand has banned microbeads, cap seals, and oxo-degradable plastics, according to a World Economic Forum article published in January 2020. Furthermore, single-use plastic items such as cups, plates, and “singleuse” cotton buds have been outlawed throughout the region by France. Over the projected period, such initiatives are expected to have a substantial impact on market growth. The Asia Pacific region is estimated to account for a sizable portion of the global biodegradable plastic market. This increase can be linked to the region’s high biodegradable plastics production and development capabilities. According to data published by European Bioplastics, Asia produced 46 percent of the world’s biodegradable plastics in 2020.

EXHIBITIONS 2023

Indus Food - 2023

08 - 10 Jan - 2023

HITEX Hyderabad

EURASIA SPIRITS DRINKS - 2023

February 2023, Moscow

FoodTech Kerala - 2023

09 - 11 Feb - 2023

Rena Event Hub, Kaloor, Cochin

Meat Pro Asia - 2023

8 -10 March - 2023

IMPACT, Bangkok, Thailand

Aahar - 2023

14 - 18 March - 2023

Pragati Maidan Delhi

Snack & BakeTec - 2023

07 - 09 June - 2023

Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India

Bakers Technology Fair - 2023

05 - 07 July 2023

Coimbatore, CODISSIA, Trade Fair Complex

Food & Drink Processing Expo

05 - 07 July 2023

Coimbatore, CODISSIA, Trade Fair Complex

India Foodex - 2023

25 - 27 Aug - 2023

Banglore International Exhibition Centre

ANUTEC- International FoodTec India - 2023

07 - 09 Sept - 2023

Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India

PackEx India - 2023

07 - 09 Sept - 2023

Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India

Annapoorna - ANUFOOD India - 2023

07 - 09 Sept - 2023

Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India

For Event’s Promotions & Partnership please write to us

info@fooddrinkinnovations.com

www.fooddrinkinnovations.com

New: Minebea Intec vision systems for automated end-of-line quality inspection

of quality inspection to its portfolio of end-of-line inspection equipment. Food can now pass through all quality inspections with Minebea Intec solutions without any gaps: From checkweighers, metal detectors, X-ray inspection to the new automated vision systems. Three different sized vision systems can now be used by users based on the requirements of their production line. The compact SmartInspector® can be integrated into existing conveyor belts and completes essential inspection options with minimal installation space. The VisioCompact® enables a more comprehensive two-sided inspection with numerous inspection options, also with a minimal footprint.

The steadily increasing degree of automation with ever higher throughput rates in production lines also requires adaptable solutions for quality control. In addition, especially in the food sector, there is a zero-defect tolerance on the part of the end customers. The new vision systems VisioCompact®, SmartInspector® and VisioPointer® from Minebea Intec supplement quality control with automatic optical inspections at critical points and offer individually modified inspection criteria.

The requirements for vision systems for end-of-line quality control today often go far beyond the performance of individual camera installations. Inspection points with image processing should at best detect several quality-related problems simultaneously. In addition, data and statistics are to be generated in real time and used for optimisation and documentation. Therefore, such complex inspection tasks require systems with the latest software, camera and

lighting technology and corresponding know-how.

All in one - Minebea Intec delivers turnkey camera inspection With the new series of vision systems, Minebea Intec adds a fourth pillar

The VisioPointer® system offers the widest range of inspection criteria of any single unit, supported by three cameras as standard, multiple types of illumination and optional side and satellite cameras for multi-sided analysis. Added to this is the range of customised solutions as Inline-Inspector® for integration into packaging machines. Cameras and lighting in the systems can also be extended beyond the near-infrared spectrum to hyperspectral analysis.

The most important test criteria bundled in one place in the line One of the most important optical quality checks in the food sector is the seal seam inspection, because the product’s best-before date can only be achieved with tight packaging. “Seal seam inspection with cameras is fast, non-destructive and adaptable. Conventional methods do not offer these advantages. We are proud to now be able to integrate this outstanding solution into our customers’ production,” says Dr Thorsten Vollborn, Head of Product Management for Inspection Products at Minebea Intec. However, Minebea Intec’s vision systems can do much more than just this one inspection

Vision portfolio from Minebea Intec for automated end-of-line quality inspection

Minebea Intec VisioPointer® for automated end-of-line quality inspection

process. Depending on the customer’s needs, further parallel inspection steps are possible. Classical optical inspection processes such as the correct placement of a label, the reading and evaluation (OCR/V) of the date, for example, as well as the readability of a barcode or QR code can be effortlessly integrated into the optical inspection and extended by further criteria such as colour, shape or placement of the package contents.

The vision systems also offer the usual Minebea Intec quality in terms of ease of use: the control panel with touch screen ensures simple operability with an intuitive user interface. VisioPointer® and VisioCompact® are “turnkey” and can be effortlessly integrated into existing production lines. The systems come with infeed and outfeed conveyors, appropriate housing for optimal lighting conditions and a terminal for teaching in products and monitoring the inspection. An automatic rejector for defective products is also available. ERP connectivity and

cloud-enabled production analytics provide a multi-layered overview of production performance as well as comprehensive analysis and logging

capabilities of the generated data.

Optical inspection ensures packaging quality

The additional optical inspection contributes decisively to reducing the risk of striking quality defects and thus recall actions, which is also confirmed by Willy-Sebastian Metzger, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Minebea Intec.

“With our new portfolio of vision systems, we are expanding our footprint in the inspection systems business. This means that we can offer everything from a single source when it comes to quality control of packaged food, which is very well received by our customers.”

For manufacturers who focus on product safety, the integration of one of Minebea Intec’s new vision systems is a very useful addition to automated end-of-line quality inspection. Food producers in particular can benefit from this to further optimise production efficiency, product safety and reduce recalls as much as possible.

VisioPointer® from Minebea Intec in use meets with great customer interest

Global Clean-tech majors Bioweg and Ginkgo Bioworks to combat Microplastic Pollution with Biobased Materials

Green alternatives to synthetic polymers being developed

already been tested and implemented by companies as an effective substitute for widely used synthetic polymers such as acrylates, polyethylene, and polystyrene. Synthetic polymers often appear as microbeads (micropowders) and texturants (rheology modifiers) in products throughout the cosmetics, homecare, personal care, agricultural coatings, and other industries, which contribute to microplastic pollution in surface waters worldwide.

“Consumers and companies are united in their commitment to finding better performing and more sustainable alternatives for everyday products to break the chain of microplastic pollution. Our solutions are not just tackling a major environmental, sustainability and health problem, but also present a robust market opportunity to replace plastic polymers in care, coatings, chemicals, and other industries,” said Prateek Mahalwar, CEO at Bioweg. “We believe that this partnership will be a win-win situation for us and will give us access to strain engineering and screening capabilities that can enable us to deliver our biobased solutions at scale and competitive pricing.”

Bioweg, an innovative ‘Bio-innovation to Business’ German producer of highly functional and customizable bio-based materials, has partnered with Ginkgo Bioworks, global leaders in building platforms for cell programming and biosecurity, to announce a collaboration to optimize the production of bacterial cellulose and produce novel variants with improved performance to serve a variety of end markets. Biomaterials could prove to the most biodegradable, carbon-negative plastic alternative that could put the world on a more sustainable track. Bioweg was founded in Germany in 2019 by Dr Prateek Mahalwar and Srinivas Karuturi, two Indian-origin founders from Delhi and Bengaluru. Both share a common passion for combining bio-innovation and business problems.

The problem of microplastics is prevalent all over the world and also India is not unaffected. A recent study by the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) has found that microplastic pollution is very high on the east coast about 10 km into the open sea, with up to 308 particles per kg of sediment. It is therefore not surprising that an average person could be ingesting about 5 grams of plastic each week through the consumption of common foods and beverages, according to a study by the University of Newcastle. These microplastics are non-biodegradable and sometimes carry toxic chemicals on top of them. Regulatory agencies and communities around the world have addressed microplastics contamination through significant regulations. Bioweg’s current products based on biodegradable bacterial cellulose have

“Bioweg is addressing a significant need in the marketplace to develop and produce a new generation of clean alternatives to synthetic polymers,” said Ena Cratsenburg, Chief Business Officer at Ginkgo Bioworks. “We are committed to supporting the shift to sustainable and bio-based high-performance alternatives and are happy to partner with Bioweg to address the pressing issues of microplastics contamination and promote responsible consumption.”

The Indian government has recognised the issue of microplastic pollution and is launching programmes like the Green Credit Program under the Environment (Protection) Act to incentivise sustainable measures in industry. The Union Budget 2023-24 also focuses heavily on green growth to accelerate the transition to sustainable growth. Bioweg aims to provide significant support in this regard and possibly establish a production facility for biologic microplastic alternatives in India in the near future, which could serve as a base for supplying the Southeast Asian market.

Mondi expands range of FunctionalBarrier Papers with high barrier packaging solution

• Mondi has expanded its innovative range of medium, high and very high-barrier paper-based packaging, ensuring excellent product protection

• The range is designed for recycling and can substitute unrecyclable plastic laminates and aluminium-based packaging

• Different technologies mean tailored fit for purpose packaging

Mondi, a global leader in packaging and paper, is expanding its unique range of medium, high and very high-barrier paper-based packaging to support customers on their journey to use more sustainable packaging solutions.

Thanks to Mondi’s extensive research and development activities, expertise in both paper and plastic as well as investments in new technology and increased capacity, the company has further evolved its portfolio and now offers a full range of FunctionalBarrier Papers to customers. By applying different barrier technologies, such as extrusion coatings, aqueous coatings and other very high barriers, this range of paper-based packaging solutions is fit for purpose and can be used for a variety of applications.

The medium barrier solution, designed for industrial, eCommerce and personal care packaging, offers high sealability and medium water vapour protection, while the high barrier functional paper offers a medium oxygen and water vapour barrier, as well as a high grease and mineral oil barrier for frozen foods and chocolates. The very high barrier solution, for consumer food products

such as coffee, cereals and confectionery, provides excellent product protection from water vapour and oxygen and ensures a long shelf life.

A benefit of Mondi’s integrated value chain, the production of the FunctionalBarrier Paper range is done entirely in-house. Designed to be recyclable in paper streams across Europe and using responsibly sourced base material, the solutions offer renewable alternatives to plastic laminates and multi-material aluminium-based packaging.

We live by our approach of using paper where possible, plastic when useful and our range of FunctionalBarrier

Paper is a perfect example of this. There is more than one way for our customers to achieve their sustainability goals and our unique market position and value chain means we can tailor our solutions to meet their needs. We develop packaging solutions that are sustainable by design while still providing the necessary protection for their products. This is in line with our Mondi Action Plan 2030 (MAP2030) commitment to make all our packaging solutions reusable, recyclable and compostable.

Thomas Ott, CEO Flexible Packaging, Mondi

SUBSCRIPTION

SAFETY / HYGIENE /REGULATIONS/ GOVERNMENT POLICIES

For the first time in the country, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has specified the identity standards for Basmati Rice (including Brown Basmati Rice, Milled Basmati Rice, Parboiled Brown Basmati Rice and Milled Parboiled Basmati Rice) vide Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) First Amendment Regulations, 2023 notified in the Gazette of India.

As per these standards, Basmati rice shall possess natural fragrance characteristic of basmati rice and be free from artificial colouring, polishing agents and artificial fragrances. These standards also specify various identity and quality parameters for basmati rice such as average size of grains and their elongation ratio after cooking; maximum limits of moisture, amylose content, uric acid, defective/damaged grains and incidental presence of other non-basmati rice etc. The standards are aimed at establishing fair practices in the trade of Basmati rice and protect consumer interest, both domestically and globally. These standards will be enforced w.e.f 1st August, 2023. Basmati rice is a premium variety

of rice cultivated in the Himalayan foothills of the Indian sub-continent and is universally known for its long grain size, fluffy texture and unique inherent aroma and flavour. Agro-climatic conditions of the specific geographical areas where Basmati rice is grown; as well as the method of harvesting, processing and ageing of the rice contributes to the uniqueness of Basmati rice.

Due to its unique quality attributes, Basmati is a widely consumed variety of rice both domestically and globally and India accounts for two thirds of its global supply. Being a premium quality rice and fetching a price higher than the non-basmati varieties, Basmati rice is prone to various types of adulteration for economic gains which may include, among others, undeclared blending of other non-basmati varieties of rice. Therefore, in order to ensure supply of standardised genuine Basmati rice in domestic and export markets, FSSAI has notified regulatory standards for Basmati rice that have been framed through extensive consultations with the concerned government departments / agencies and other stakeholders as well.

FSSAI notifies regulatory standards for Basmati rice, to come in force from 1st Aug

Front-of-Package Warning Labels Can Discourage Unhealthy Food Choices: Study

Astudy by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition on acceptability and potential use of different formats of front-of-pack nutrition labels in promoting informed food choices suggests ‘warning labels’ can deter choice and consumption of even moderately unhealthy foods. It also showed that ‘summary ratings’ like health star or Nutri-Score can help identify healthier variants among the available foods. Summary labels provide a brief and concise overview of a product’s key features and benefits, often including information about positive as well as negative nutrients.

Warning labels, on the other hand, provide information about potential hazards associated with a product as they take into consideration the nutrients of concern like sugars, fats and salt. Front-of-package labeling (FOPL) is usually seen as an important tool of public health communication about

healthiness. Different formats of FOPNL are in use in different countries, either voluntarily or by mandatory implementation. Meanwhile, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is considering to implement a symbol-based FOPNL. However, context specific evidence on the effectiveness of FOPNL is needed to inform ongoing advocacy and regulatory processes in India. The decision to the type of FOPNL used in a country should be based on local research, along with regional and global evidence, and in consideration of each country’s specific objectives for developing a FOPNL policy.

Given this background, the current study tested the consumer acceptability, reliability and understandability as well as the cognitive workload, informativeness and purchase intention of five FOPNL formats, namely Nutri-Score (NS), Health Star Rating (HSR), Warning Labels (WL), Multiple Traffic Lights (MTL) and Nutri-Star Rating (NSR). The NS and HSR are the FOPNL formats currently in vogue in Europe and Australia, respectively, and the FOPNL rating (colour coding from ‘green’ for healthy, ‘orange’ for moderately healthy and ‘red’ for unhealthy in case of NS, and number of stars in case of HSR) are based on both positive and negative nutrients. The cross-sectional study,

with a quasi-experimental design, was conducted among 3,231 participants from five regions of India - north (Delhi), east (Kolkata), west (Pune), south (Hyderabad) and northeast (Jorhat, Assam). In the present study, it was observed that even though the percentage of participants reading nutrition information is low, those checking vegetarian/ non-vegetarian symbols and quality symbols was higher.

Therefore, FOPNL on pre-packaged processed foods is likely to have a good uptake among the Indian population as they are symbol-based, it said. “The uniqueness of the study is also that the FOPNL formats were used on different variants of the mock packs of the same food. Unlike in other studies, different foods were not used to depict different labels. “Therefore, the responses could be solely based on the understanding of the FOPNL without any preconceived perception about the healthiness of the product,” said Dr Hemalatha R, Director, ICMRNIN. The study showed that warning labels (WL and NSR) deterred more people from choosing moderately healthy or unhealthy variants, whereas the summary labels made them look healthier. “Participants randomised to any of the FOPNL formats were able to identify healthiest and least healthy variants of foods, however, warning labels had greater impact in altering the health perception of the food products as presence of even one warning sign prompted more cautious behaviours in choosing the foods,” said Dr SubbaRao M Gavaravarapu, the lead investigator of the study. (PTI)

MoFPI implementing various Schemes like, PMKSY, PLISFP & PMFME to increase level of food-processing industry: MoS

In order to increase the level of foodprocessing industry and encouraging rural entrepreneurship across the country including rural areas, Ministry Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is implementing Central Sector Umbrella Scheme Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and Centrally sponsored PM Formalization

of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme. Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel informs Rajya Sabha, in a written reply to a question, that the PMFME Scheme provides financial, technical and business support for setting up/upgradation of 2 Lakh micro food processing enterprises through credit linked subsidy during five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25

with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore. Under component schemes of PMKSY, MoFPI mostly provides financial assistance in the form of grants-in-aid to entrepreneurs for creation of modern infrastructure and setting up of food processing / preservation industries including Cold Chains with associated infrastructure like primary processing facilities, collection centres, pre-conditioning, pre-cooling, ripening, packing etc.

Ongoing Challenges in the Food Supply Chain & the Solutions

• Reduce errors, risks, and re-work rates

• Perform mundane, lower-value tasks so human workers can focus on other jobs that can’t be automated

• Improve safety for workers in highrisk environments

• Boost revenue by improving order fulfillment rates, delivery speed, and customer satisfaction

• Improved employee retention through better safety rates and less emphasis on mundane tasks for humans

• Better overall business and brand reputation through the implementation of cutting-edge technology

The “supply chain” has become a hot topic over the past several years because we’ve figured out how much it touches everyone’s lives, from getting the gas we need at the corner station to buying staple food items. Companies and consumers worldwide have been impacted by supply chain disruptions - some more than others.

What we’ve learned with regard to the food supply chain is that things can be complicated. A typical food supply chain is made of about six stages:

• Sourcing of raw materials and ingredients

• Production

• Processing and packaging

• Storage

• Wholesale distribution

• Retail distribution to consumers

If there are bottlenecks in any of these stages, the entire supply chain will be compromised. Some of the ongoing issues being faced by the food supply chain include:

• Rising supply chain costs — One of the biggest issues facing supply chain participants is increasing costs due to soaring fuel prices and labor issues.

• Lack of traceability — When businesses are unable to track food products through all stages of the supply chain, it can lead to inefficiency and mistrust.

• Inadequate communication — When supply chain partners fail to communicate, it can lead to excessive waste, inefficiency, and errors.

Driving Value in the Food Supply Chain

Businesses are increasingly deploying robotics to address many food supply chain challenges. Traditionally, robots have been used for addressing repetitive and routine operations. This is because it required complex resources for setup, so they weren’t agile enough to complete varying and complex tasks.

As robotics have become more advanced, they require less oversight and time to set up. In fact, many robots work side by side with humans. Some robots perform tasks that humans can’t do, shouldn’t do, or may not want to do. Some of the benefits of using robotics in the food supply chain include:

• Increase productivity and efficiency

How Robotics Are Transforming the Food Supply Chain

Robotics is a major part of the solutions to the issues that continue to plague the food supply chain. The food industry has been relatively slow to adopt robotics compared to some other industries. But this has started to change over the past several years. After all, pain is a great motivator. Here are some of the ways robotics are transforming the food supply chain.

Robotics in Agriculture

For the most part, the food journey begins in the agriculture industry. Precision farming, which involves using key interventions to improve and optimize productivity, is expected to be worth roughly $8.5 billion this year and $15.6 billion by 2030. Much of those gains will be due to robotics.

Farmers are now using robotics solutions for everything from planting to sorting and identifying seedlings. They are also investing in autonomous harvesters, weeding machines, and tractors. Autonomous ground vehicles and drones are also being deployed to analyze and monitor crops. When dealing with livestock, farmers are also using robotics to feed, milk, sort, and clean.

Robotics in Food Processing and Manufacturing

When materials leave the farm, they move to the processing or manufacturing steps. Robotics solutions are being used in food manufacturing in two primary steps:

• Primary processing — Raw food is cleaned, sorted, blended, and transported. Robotic applications include butchering and the sorting of vegetables and fruits.

• Secondary processing — Ingredients are combined to create new food products for packaging, cooking, and baking. Robotic applications include product sorting, removal of defective items, and mixing.

Because many of these processes are repetitive and similar to an assembly line, they are ideal candidates for robotics. In the past, many food processors focused on secondary processing, but more primary processing robots are becoming common.

Robotics in Food Packaging and Storage

Food packaging and storage are two areas of the food supply chain where

robotics can make a significant impact. This is because these functions can be incredibly repetitive and inefficient when handled by humans.

On the packaging side, robots can pick and place items into individual packages, place tubes or wrappers of items into larger product boxes, and group food items together on pallets for shipping.

On the warehousing side, there are multiple opportunities for better results with robotics. Most warehouses already have a warehouse management system (WMS). These businesses can improve efficiency and visibility with things like automated storage and retrieval systems, aerial warehouse drones, and automated picking and packing using robots and RFID tags.

Robotics and Food Freight and Delivery

Transporting food products can be costly and inefficient. While we aren’t likely to see robots operating tractor-trailers or freight liners anytime soon, they are being used in this stage of the process. Some industry members are deploying last-mile robots as

an effective food delivery source. For example, Nuro is currently running pilot programs with Kroger, 7-Eleven, Domino’s, and Chipotle.

And, how about food delivery to the customer’s table? Robots are handling those functions now as well. McKinsey & Company’s analysis concluded that nearly three-quarters of food service tasks could be automated. You’re likely to see more and more robots handling some of these functions in your local restaurants.

Virtually every aspect of modern life has been disrupted since 2020, which means there are ongoing challenges for just about every industry. Everyone needs to eat, so the food supply chain is something that needs to run efficiently and with the utmost urgency.

Fortunately, businesses are leveraging various robotics solutions to improve efficiency, increase visibility, and even cut costs throughout the supply chain. Going forward, this can help supply chain participants achieve better overall results and add more stability to something everyone needs to survive.

Source: www.advancedmobilegroup.com

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