Dr Veena P Panicker, Head, Bio Monitoring, Merck Life Science India
Today’s average Indian consumer is more aware of the importance of food safety, which they consider a crucial aspect of their health. Therefore, all members of the food supply chain, whether it’s a food supplier, a food business owner, a manufacturer, or a customer, play an important role in maintaining food safety. In such a scenario, Mumbai-headquartered Merck Life Science Private Ltd., one of the leading life science companies has unveiled its Food and Beverage (F&B) segment, unleashing the latest technologies and advancements with regard to food safety. In conversation with NUFFOODS Spectrum, Dr Veena P Panicker, Head, Bio Monitoring, Merck Life Science India sheds light on recent developments in the company’s F&B vertical and the company’s efforts in food safety skill development. Edited excerpts:
What have been the new developments in the company’s food and beverage testing vertical?
At Merck Life Science, we are constantly striving to stay at the forefront of food safety and hygiene monitoring in the industry. We have expanded our product portfolio to offer a comprehensive range of solutions tailored exclusively for the food and beverage industries. This includes a wide selection of innovative technologies as food safety tools like GDS-IMS, Transia Platforms, and MVP-ICON, which will help food safety scientists overcome difficulties in managing HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) audits and pathogen testing.
Through our advanced testing technologies, industry collaborations, and regulatory compliance we are committed to delivering the finest quality of final products to our customers. These new advancements demonstrate our commitment to improving food safety and hygiene monitoring practices.
Merck has strong roots in technology and innovation producing the best products in the biotech space. We also have established our Center for Microbiological Analysis Training (C-MAT Lab), which is a state-of-the-art laboratory space dedicated to microbial food technology. The lab houses the latest equipment to help food scientists learn and gain experience on the latest advancement in microbial food testing techniques including rapid detection technologies. Regular advance training programmes are conducted by industry experts and international speakers to help the scientists gain the latest regulatory and technological advancements in the area of food safety.
What are the company’s innovations in food safety solutions for reliable food testing?
We are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that enhance food safety and ensure reliable food testing. We understand the need of precise and efficient testing procedures to maintain the highest standards in the food industry. Our solutions include classical reagents and solvents, high purity solvents, chromatography products, photometric kits and instruments for chemical analyses.
In addition, we have solutions for pathogen and spoilage testing. This includes selective media for differentiation and growth, rapid microbiological solutions, pathogen screening kits, instruments and disposables.
What are the challenges in F&B microbiological testing?
One of the key challenges of food testing is the lack of trained microbiologists. We have advanced fairly in the detection of chemical contaminants through advanced techniques like HPLC and LCMS. Microbiological enumeration is still not very popular, as isolation and identification of spoilage microorganisms is a tedious process. There is also a need to move towards rapid detection to ensure swift results. The second challenge is that we are dealing with a varied number of matrices, and the need for harmonisation of the methods to evaluate the microbiological parameters are critical.
How does the company take care of its food regulatory compliance?
Merck Life Science India places great emphasis on food regulatory compliance to ensure the safety and quality of food products. Several procedures have been put in place to ensure that regulatory standards are met.
Following food regulatory standards allows industries to meet customer expectations, broaden their customer reach, and ensure the provision of safe food in both domestic and international markets. We closely follow and comply with regulations set by regulatory bodies in India, such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). We provide our customers with regulatory expertise and support. Our team of experts stays updated with the latest regulations and guidelines, offering guidance and assistance in navigating complex compliance requirements. We work closely with our customers to ensure they have the necessary information and resources to achieve regulatory compliance.
How is the F&B segment adding value to the overall business?
Our Food and Beverage (F&B) segment plays a significant role in adding value to the overall business of Merck Life Science India. This segment expands our product portfolio by providing a variety of solutions developed exclusively for the food and beverage industry. This diversification allows us to cater to the unique needs of customers in this sector by offering them with specialised products and services enabling us to meet the never-ending demands of the food and beverage industry. Our solutions are tailored to the industry’s emphasis on food safety, quality control, and regulatory compliance. By addressing industry demands, we strengthen our position as a trusted partner for food and beverage manufacturers.
It also serves as a catalyst for Merck Life Science India’s expansion. We contribute to overall business growth and profitability by growing our client base, penetrating new markets, and acquiring a larger part of the food and beverage industry. Through these efforts, we continue to strengthen our position as a trusted partner and enhance the overall business performance.
What are your plans in terms of skill development in food safety and hygiene?
We recognise the importance of skill development in food safety and hygiene and are committed to contributing to this area. We have collaborated with regulatory bodies to align our skill development initiatives with their guidelines and regulations. By working together, we ensure that our training programmes and resources are in line with the latest regulations and industry standards.
In addition, we intend to train and educate on technique development for the Water, Food, and Beverage industries using our C-MAT Lab. We have always been at the forefront of knowledge building and sharing. These training sessions are a positive step towards equipping the workforce with the most up-to-date skills required for the food sector.
What are your key upcoming initiatives?
We have strategic plans to expand our Food and Beverage (F&B) business and establish a strong base in India. With a considerable tenure in this industry, we are committed to advancing our position. Our key focus now is on the skill development of Quality Control (QC) personnel in the F&B segment. We achieve this by introducing advanced and rapid technologies for microbial testing and identification.
In collaboration with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), we are implementing these initiatives at the C-MAT Lab in Delhi. Furthermore, we intend to expand these training programmes to include food inspectors and food scientists in the F&B industry in the future. Bringing in an international perspective through global expertise will help foster knowledge sharing, which will help bolster our country’s presence in the area of food exports.
Mansi Jamsudkar
(mansi.jamsudkar@mmactiv.com)