Food Processing Minister calls for high-quality food production, healthier snacking options, and stronger farmer engagement to boost India’s global food industry.
Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan has urged food manufacturers to prioritize the production of high-quality food products that can compete successfully in global markets. Speaking at the Indian Healthy Snacking Summit in New Delhi, the minister said India’s food processing sector offers significant growth opportunities and has the potential to enhance farmers’ incomes, generate employment, and reduce post-harvest losses.
Paswan highlighted that the government has introduced several policy reforms over the past 12 years to strengthen the food processing industry, including allowing 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the sector. He noted that while substantial progress has been made, continued efforts are needed across the entire food value chain to unlock the sector’s full potential.
Emphasizing changing consumer preferences, the minister expressed concern over the increasing incidence of obesity, particularly among young people, and called for greater innovation in the healthy snacking segment. He encouraged food companies to develop nutritious products that promote healthier lifestyles while meeting evolving consumer demands.
Paswan also addressed the growing perception that processed foods are inherently unhealthy. He stated that such claims are often not supported by scientific evidence and stressed the importance of providing consumers with accurate and transparent information. To address misinformation, he said the Ministry has constituted a committee comprising key stakeholders to improve consumer awareness and ensure factual communication about processed foods.
The minister further urged food companies to maintain the highest quality standards, stating that it is disappointing when Indian food consignments fail to meet international quality requirements. He emphasized that Indian quality benchmarks should be recognized globally and encouraged manufacturers to strengthen quality control, food safety, and compliance with international standards to enhance India’s export competitiveness.
In addition, Paswan called on the industry to work closely with farmers by promoting natural and organic farming practices that protect soil health and support sustainable agriculture. He also advocated crop diversification to help farmers meet changing domestic and international food demand while improving long-term agricultural resilience.
Highlighting the government’s commitment to entrepreneurship and innovation, the minister pointed to the role of the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM) in supporting startups and fostering technological advancements in food processing. He reiterated that collaboration between industry, farmers, and policymakers will be essential for building a globally competitive and sustainable food processing ecosystem.