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–Sparsh Sachar, Director and Business Head, FMCG Nutrica, BN Group
Continuing the NUFFOODS Spectrum 12th Anniversary Special interview series, Building India’s Wellness-Driven Future in Oils & Nutrition spotlights Sparsh Sachar, Director and Business Head, FMCG Nutrica, BN Group. Sachar outlines the company’s 2030 vision to transform everyday staples into functional, wellness-oriented products, from vitamin-enriched oils to authentic, preservative-free honey. With a focus on responsible sourcing, clean-label integrity, and purposeful innovation, Nutrica is positioning itself to meet evolving consumer demands while contributing to India’s shift towards fortified, sustainable, and globally competitive nutrition solutions. Edited excerpts;
BN Group has been steadily expanding its footprint in the edible oil and nutrition space. To begin with, could you share the group’s long-term vision for scaling its businesses by 2030? In line with this vision, the group has been making notable moves with its Nutrica brand. What factors shaped the decision to diversify into wellness-focused products such as honey and vitamin-enriched oils, and how do these innovations align with consumer trends?
Our 2030 vision with Nutrica is to redefine everyday nutrition, creating products that genuinely support active lifestyles, that balance taste and fitness, and the opportunity to offer trusted, functional nutrition products. Expanding into wellness-focused categories like vitamin-enriched oils and functional honey reflects our commitment to combine tradition with innovation. This move is driven by growing consumer focus on wellness, the need for foods and that fits modern family lifestyles while staying true to BN Group’s nation-building philosophy.
Looking ahead, how do you see Nutrica evolving over the next five years? Are there specific health-centric categories or product variants you plan to introduce to strengthen its position in the nutrition and wellness market?
Over the next five years, Nutrica will evolve as a holistic lifestyle wellness brand. With the recent launch of Nutrica Honey, we have already begun broadening our portfolio beyond oils, and the next phase will see us introduce new SKUs in the space of functional and health-centric foods. The focus will be on purposeful innovation products that deliver clean nutrition, support immunity and energy needs, and seamlessly fit into the everyday routines of modern, health-conscious consumers.
With rising consumer expectations around health, sustainability, and product transparency, what steps is the group taking to ensure responsible sourcing and nutritional integrity across its portfolio?
Our focus is on building a portfolio of purposeful, everyday nutrition solutions backed by responsible sourcing and nutritional ingredients. Our Oils are processed at our state-of-the-art facilities to ensure quality and purity. With Nutrica Honey, the variants are sourced from regions rich in natural flora, free from artificial preservatives and added sugar, and tested rigorously for authenticity. Across the portfolio, our commitment remains the same clean, functional foods that families can trust to support modern, active lifestyles without compromising on taste.
Shifting to a broader perspective, how do you see India’s edible oil and nutrition sector evolving by 2030, especially with the growing demand for fortified and wellness-driven products?
By 2030, India’s edible oil and nutrition sector will look very different, with fortified and wellness-focused products becoming the norm rather than the exception. The market is expected to grow to $6.49 billion (CAGR 6.79 per cent) according to TechSci Research’s forecast for the India edible oil market, driven by rising health consciousness. Government initiatives like the National Mission on Edible Oils, Eat Right India, and POSHAN Abhiyaan will play a pivotal role in reducing import dependence and fostering innovation across fortified oils and healthier food options. Consumers today are moving beyond basic nutrition, seeking products that support immunity, fitness, and overall wellness.
As Indian brands look to compete globally, what strategies or reforms do you believe are essential for building competitiveness in export markets?
For Indian brands to succeed globally, a few strategies are important: consistent product quality, strong traceability, and innovation that blends authenticity with modern needs. The government’s push for higher food standards, digital traceability, and export-friendly policies has already laid a strong foundation. As brands, we must build on this by investing in clean-label practices, certifications, and consumer trust. With industry and government working together, India has the potential to establish itself as a leader in wellness-driven categories worldwide.
Regulatory frameworks around food fortification, labeling, and transparency are tightening. How do you foresee these changes shaping the industry landscape over the next decade?
Stronger rules on fortification, labelling, and transparency will raise the bar for the entire industry. Clearer front and back-of-pack disclosures, QR-linked digital information, and verified purity will ensure that consumers can see exactly what they are buying, bringing greater transparency, safety, and trust. Fortification in staples like edible oils will help address nutritional gaps, directly improving health outcomes. By 2030, these measures will not only safeguard consumer wellbeing but also build a stronger foundation for responsible brands and their global competitiveness.
Technology is increasingly becoming a driver of consumer engagement. How can edible oil and wellness brands leverage tools like personalisation, blockchain traceability, or digital health platforms to connect with health-conscious consumers?
For edible oil brands, technology is not just about efficiency it is about trust and engagement. Blockchain traceability can show consumers exactly where their oil is sourced and how it is tested, building confidence in purity. Personalisation elements are also becoming important, for instance, at Nutrica, Pro Immunity is designed for senior citizens, Pro Energy for kids, and Pro Fitness for working adults making oils more relevant to different lifestyles. Digital health platforms can further integrate oils into diet tracking, making wellness more relatable.
Finally, looking at the future of nutrition in India, what kind of collaborations between F&B companies, ingredient suppliers, and government bodies will be necessary to drive innovation and consumer wellness through 2030?
As I see it, the future of nutrition in India will be shaped by stronger partnerships across the ecosystem. F&B brands bring consumer understanding, ingredient suppliers add science and innovation, while government bodies like FSSAI ensure safety and standards through initiatives such as FoSCoS and CHIFSS. We are already seeing collaborations with MSMEs in premix and fortification. By 2030, such efforts will make clean-label, fortified foods more accessible, delivering better health outcomes and stronger communities.
Mansi Jamsudkar Padvekar