India Food Sector

The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has said it has issued a notice to two mess facilities at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, asking them to stop operations, citing lack of necessary permissions and registrations. During an inspection of the mess facilities at Hostel Nos. 1 and 2 at the IIT in the Powai area, the FDA on Friday said that it observed that the operators of these food centres didn't possess necessary permissions and registrations. Accordingly, they were directed to halt operations, the regulatory authority said. While inspecting the mess facilities at Hostel Nos. 12, 13 and 14, the FDA observed some shortcomings and the caterer was served a notice recommending necessary changes. Meanwhile, as part of its ongoing state-wide food safety enforcement drive under new FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, the state government agency has suspended licences of multiple eateries and restaurants. The licences of M/s Eat Nino Pvt Ltd, Shop No. 10, Sarvoday

Vice president Nishant Dalal says Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are fueling gourmet and premium food sales

The move goes beyond packaging, with experts suggesting it could improve consumer trust, curb misleading claims and support category growth

President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday said women engaged in agriculture and agri-food sectors should get a greater role in policy formation, decision-making and leadership positions, and called for collective action to close gender gaps across the value chain. Addressing the three-day Global Conference on Women in Agri-Food Systems, the President said success case studies on women in agriculture should be published widely to ensure more people were aware of their contributions. Emphasising India's strategic choice of women-led development, Murmu said women in the agriculture sector must be given a greater role in policy formulation, decision-making, and leadership positions. "Larger participation of women at all levels in the sector will promote gender-inclusive agricultural growth," she said. She called for targeted support for women farmers on issues of land titles, access to technical knowledge, and institutional finance. On the role of technology, Murmu highlighted 'Sarlaben' -

A data analytics-driven probe by the Income Tax Department has uncovered ₹4.08 billion in suppressed sales in the restaurant sector, prompting surveys across 46 cities nationwide

Uttar Pradesh aims to cement its status as a food processing hub, with ₹500 crore business deals expected at the three-day India Food Expo 2026 in Lucknow

Devyani International, one of the country's leading quick service operators, on Thursday said its subsidiary Sky Gate Hospitality has sold its stake in Peanutbutter and Jelly to Heritage Foods. Peanutbutter and Jelly Pvt Ltd owns health-focused 'Get-A-Way' brand, which produces high-protein, no-added-sugar ice creams and desserts. "Sky Gate Hospitality, a subsidiary company had executed a Share Purchase Agreement with Heritage Foods for sale of its entire 51% equity stake held in Peanutbutter and Jelly a subsidiary of Sky Gate and a step-down subsidiary of the Company," said a regulatory filing from Devyani International Ltd (DIL). Consequently, Peanutbutter has "ceased to be a subsidiary of Sky Gate and a step-down subsidiary of the Company with immediate effect," it said. DIL had last year acquired Sky Gate Hospitality, which owns brands such as Biryani By Kilo and Goila Butter Chicken. Last week, DIL, part of the Jaipuria family-promoted RJ Corp Group, had announced the merg

As India enters 2026, the challenge will be whether clearer labels, stronger regulation and informed consumers can slow the health costs of an increasingly ultra-processed diet

Veg thali cost dips 13% on-year; non-veg thali also cheaper as vegetable, pulse, and broiler prices cool

India's food processing sector accounts for 7.7 per cent of manufacturing output and supports over 7 million jobs, is projected to reach USD 535 billion by 2025-26, driven by rising consumption, exports, and government focus on 'Make in India', according to industry experts. With AI automation and smart packaging redefining the industry, India has the potential to emerge as the global hub for food and packaging materials, they said at the the Fi India and ProPak India event organised by Informa Markets. According to them, India's organic food market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.13 per cent to USD 10.8 billion by 2033, while the food ingredients market is growing at 7-8 per cent CAGR. Dr Meenakshi Singh, Chief Scientist, Technology Management Directorate, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), said food ingredients form the backbone of the food sector, with packaging playing an equally critical role in ensuring safety and ...

From leafy greens to healthy fats, cardiologists reveal how smart eating habits reduce cardiac arrest risk

Global companies push for diversification may play a role

The sharpest vegetable price fall since October 2023 and a broad-based slowdown in fuel and manufactured goods inflation pulled WPI to its lowest level in over a year

Bikanervala is gearing up for its UK expansion in partnership with retail and hospitality leader The Montana Group, the Indian snack and restaurant chain said on Friday. This move comes after the launch of its new outlet in Sri Ganganagar, marking a homecoming for the brand to its roots in Rajasthan. The Sri Ganganagar outlet not only reinforces Bikanervala's presence in North India but also symbolises its ambition to take India's culinary heritage to global audiences, according to the company. The new outlet features a quick-service restaurant (QSR) format, offering a wide range of Indian sweets, snacks, and multi-cuisine delicacies in a contemporary setting. "Our goal is to make Indian flavours a staple on the global culinary scene, blending tradition with innovation through our 'Reverse Food Drainage' initiative," Manoj Madhukar, Founder of The Montana Group, said. "By fostering collaborations and exploring new markets, we aim to leverage the global fascination with Indian cuis

December marked the second policy review meeting for the external members, who have a fixed four-year term

Food Processing Industries Secretary Subrata Gupta assured on Wednesday that the government will address the concerns of the bakery and confectionery industry, including streamlining regulatory frameworks. During an interactive session with industry leaders, key focus areas emerged, including regulatory simplification, sustainability, and innovation, an official statement said. The secretary, who chaired the high-level roundtable discussion, assured participants of the government's commitment to addressing sector challenges and fostering collaborative growth. Industry representatives emphasised the need for policy alignments that can support both large and small-scale manufacturers. Critical recommendations included technology adoption, expanding domestic production of critical inputs like cocoa, and integrating informal sector units into the formal ecosystem. The roundtable discussions highlighted potential strategies for enhancing raw material availability, streamlining supply .

While the September inflation print may see a significant pick-up as base effects turn adverse and food prices register an upturn, food inflation, the RBI said, is expected to ease by Q4:2024-25

The WWF's Living Planet Report praises India's food consumption practices as the most sustainable among G20 nations, highlighting their potential to mitigate climate change

Meant to nutritional security challenges, rice fortification involves the adding of Fortified Rice Kernels (FRK), containing micronutrients such as iron, folic acid, and Vitamin B12, into regular rice

India's average household spending on food has fallen to less than half for the first time since 1947, according to a recent working paper by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM). The paper titled 'Changes in India's Food Consumption and Policy Implications: A Comprehensive Analysis of Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 2022-23 and 2011-12 further said significant changes are unfolding in India's food consumption pattern. According to the paper, the share of total household expenditure on food has declined substantially in rural and urban areas across all states and UTs. "It is the first time in modern India (post-independence) that average household spending on food is less than half the overall monthly spending of households and is a marker of significant progress," it said. The paper is a comprehensive analysis of the Household Consumption Expenditure Survey 202223 and comparison with 201112. "Overall, there has been a significant increase in ...