The Ministry of Food Processing Industries is keen on supporting the food processing players. The government would do the needful to create food processing environment in the country and to build BRAND INDIA of food processing for exports and State specific brands for the domestic National markets.
The minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal assured that she will take up the issues relating to Food Safety Standards Authority of India with the Health Minister and special attention shall be paid so that delay in product approvals and other regulatory environment does not derail the food processing in the country. She emphasized on adopting the best Model Food Processing Policy and ‘best practices’ to be followed as a policy of Food Processing Industry Ministry.
The minister also said that the general perception that processed food is for the elite and not for the common man needs to be shunned. The growth of food processing industry in the country is also linked to this perception which adversely affects the industry which works like discouragement to start processed food ventures. Talking about virtues of processed foods, she said, “The processed food shall prove to be far cheaper and safer than the fresh food and would lead to reduction of both poverty and inflation.” She also welcomed the industry to resolve all issues relating to the food processing industry.