ProPak virtual expos showcase food, health and packaging

The virtual inauguration was marked by the presence of P Muthumaran, director, FSSAI; Yogesh Mudras, managing director, Informa Markets in India and Rahul Deshpande, group director, Ingredients Portfolio, Informa Markets in India.

The two-day virtual expos was supported by Association of Food Scientists & Technologists (AFST, Mumbai Chapter); Indian Flexible Packaging & Folding Carton Manufacturers Association (IFCA); Authentication Solution Providers' Association (ASPA); All-India Food Processors' Association (AIFPA); SIES School of Packaging, Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology (IIFPT); Suman Consultants, Health Foods and Dietary Supplements Association (HADSA); Invest India and Chamber for Advancement of Small & Medium Industries.

Speaking on the occasion, Yogesh Mudras said, “The Indian economy has been bracing the impact of the second wave of the Covid-19 and with the unlocks in phases, businesses and workplaces are currently at a critical point in their journey to recovery. While more consumers are investing in health and wellness products more than ever, there has been an overall shift toward value-based buying. Moreover, with the change in eating patterns, and consumption of nutritious food to keep the immunity intact, we foresee health, nutritional and immunity foods to witness a boom in the coming years. Side by side, food and pharma packaging is also gaining more attention with the fight to defeat Covid-19 starting to affect packaging choices. Packaging designs and materials that demonstrably address hygiene and consumer safety concerns are being favoured."

He added, “The objective to host the Fi India & Hi and ProPak India shows in their virtual avatar yet again is to offer an international showcase of food processing and packaging technology and food and health ingredients. This, in turn, will help leverage India's most comprehensive range and large raw material base for food processing industries. Our endeavour will also help amplify the Government of India's Atmanirbharta scheme, a splendid vision for agriculture which can provide much-needed food security and safety to the nation in an uncertain world order.”

The virtual expos featured top-notch brands such as Hexagon Nutrition Exports; Ingredia SA; Sweegen; Azelis; Marine Hydrocolloids; Roquette; Fermenta Biotech; Mintel; Ultra International; Mespack, Rieco Industries; and Mitsubishi as the webinar partner. The product categories at the expos comprised food ingredients, health ingredients, processing machinery and technology and packaging materials.

A two-day power packed conference with renowned speakers, and product showcase and workshops by leading brands was also hosted. P Muthumaran, director, FSSAI was the keynote speaker during the session on the ‘Eat Right Movement’ by keynote speaker. Other subjects on focus at the conference included technology and automation implications for the food industry; boon of plant-based solutions; pros and cons of food fortification; sugar reduction; advanced packaging solutions to enhance food value with environmental safety; start-up opportunities in pro-biotic and non-dairy beverages; policy reforms and opportunities in packaging sector; and sustainability and food packaging, among others.