Food law may face hurdles

Mumbai, No 9 (UNI) Impementing new food law to address key issues pertaining to the food processing industry will not be an easy task because of involvement of a lot of institutions with conflicting interests.

Admitting this at a seminar organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Ministry of Food Processing Industries Secretary P I Suvrathan today said though the bill framing the law was moved hy his ministry, the subject is so vast that several ministries will be involved in its implementation.

The food law enacted by Parliament will replace eight to nine disparate laws applicable to the food processing industry and provide a framework to address all issues.

Addressing the CII Food&Bev Summit on Emerging Opportunities&Challenges, Mr Suvrathan said '' It is not an easy task to bring the interests of the industry, consumers and farmers into one concise, coherent note. We need the co-operation of all the ministries concerned and for this, proper co-ordination will be essential." Stressing that the F&B sector has enormous potential, Mr Suvrathan said a consensus is evolving to promote wine by de-linking it from hard liquor. "Our attitude to the wine industry has been very ambivalent but that will soon change and a wine board will be set up," he said.

Rasna's CMD Piruz Khambatta said the biggest challenge facing the F&B sector today is to keep pace with the consumer through better technology and products. "There is a big opportunity in SEZs.

Like IT, soon India will be known for agriculture and food produce as well. We can make India the food factory of the world, there are lots of opportunities emerging," he said.

Forbes Marshall's director Farhad Forbes said India's large untapped rural and urban base provides a tremendous opportunity for the food processing sector. " India's food processing is primarily export-oriented with low domestic consumption, but that is going to change.In most urban households, ready to use and packaged food is gaining acceptance because of the convenience it offers," he said.

UNI SA AG1750