Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA) Hosts A Webinar On Millets As A Source Of Protein

A consultation cum webinar was organized virtually on 8^th April by Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA) in association with National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship Management (NIFTEM)- Thanjavur under Ministry of Food Processing Industries, The Good Food Institute India, Kerry Ingredients India, Yeastime Italy, Devigere Biosolutions and Proeon Foods.

Sanjay Sethi, Executive Director expressed his views at the meet, he said, “Indian startups have much space for growth in this still-nascent industry. Focusing on the indigenization and localization can be useful to make India ready for global plant protein demand”. 

This consultation process was attended by 100 plus plant-based foods industry representatives and academic scholars.

The chief speaker Dr C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director NIFTEM Thanjavur addressed that, “Many commodities can be considered from India’s potential such as rice, chickpeas, moong bean for the production of plant-based foods. He further concluded that India should take advantage and become “World Food Factory”. He expressed happiness for ongoing consultation with PBFIA on larger issues including jointly organizing interaction with Ministry of Food Processing Industries during the upcoming Plant-Based Foods Industry- academia meet up in May 2022.

Mr. Pierfrancesco Mazzolini, CEO & Co-Founder of Yeastime S.R.L., Rome, Italy mentioned that, “traditional approach-fermentation is beneficial in creating affordable products. There is a need to set up scientific validation and research path by creating a multidisciplinary network of universities and industries around these studies to transform the sector”.

Mr. Dilip Chenoy, Former Secretary General of FICCI, said, there is not just great potential for plant-based food industry but indeed we are a larger health food industry”.

The consultation was attended by Ms. Pratichee Kapoor, Director- Big Bets; Middle East, Indian Subcontinent & Africa, Kerry Ingredients; Nicole Rocque, Senior Innovation Specialist, The Good Food Institute India, Satvika Mahajan, Senior Policy Specialist, The Good Food Institute India, Smitha Devigere Founder & CEO, Devigere Biosolutions, Benagaluru and Ashish Korde, Co-Founder, Proeon Foods, Mumbai.

Mr. Sanjay further added,” The Indian customer is increasingly curious about millets and discovering more unique ways to make it a regular part of their diet. Along with millets, pulses like mung bean used in plant-based egg protein has received approval as a plant protein source by The European Food Safety Authority.

PBFIA aims to create a network by connecting organizations, food handlers, start-ups, investors, and consumers. The drive for PBFIA is to help businesses in this sector grow through networking, collaboration, and dissemination of technical and market information and research. Along with that, the organization is focused on highlighting and promoting the benefits of the plant-based industry to improve health, food security, fair practices, and meet sustainable development goals.

To access the webinar, click here.

About Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA):

Plant Based Foods Industry Association (PBFIA) is a CEO-led body formed to support and help develop India's nascent plant-based food ecosystem.

Headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana, PBFIA aims to:

• Create a network connecting organizations, food handlers, start-ups, investors, and consumers

• Help businesses in this sector grow through networking, collaboration, and disseminating technical and market information and research.

• Highlight and promote the benefits of the plant-based industry to improve health, food security, fair practices, and meet sustainable development goals.

• Secure a plant-forward future for its members in times of conflict.

• Partner with organizations and other industry bodies with a similar philosophy and vision on the principles of cooperation and collaboration

• Advocate policy changes to check trade barriers or unfair practices which act as roadblocks to the growth of the industry

For further communication: sanjay.sethi@pbfia.org  or call +919004777119

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