Zero tolerance towards food wastages Need to increase food processing levels—Harsimrat Kaur Badal

Mumbai, September, 14, 2017

Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Smt. Hersimrat Kaur Badal said that to ensure food security for growing population it is necessary to wage a war against waste. She was speaking at the inauguration of 12^th edition of Annapoorna World of Food India in Mumbai today.

She said that her Ministry is committed to zero tolerance ensuring that the food wastages come down. The Minister insisted that the food processing level must be increased. Farmers should not just produce but at least some of the produce should go for the agro processing and value addition. Smt. Badal informed that Food Processing Ministry is going to invest 6000 crorers in Pradhan Mantri Sampada Yojana.

The Minister also said that food consumption patterns are now being driven by quality, health and convenience and Indian food companies need to upgrade technology to be competitive in global markets as also focus on ready-to-eat food products.

Smt. Badal also released a Expo Catalog at the function Annapoorna World of Food India, organized at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon East from 14^th – 16^th September, 2017 features over 250 exhibitors from 18 countries. It also has a European Union Pavilion along with a number of State Government pavilions.