eChapters

Indian Food Processing Industry (FPI) is one of the most untapped industries with abundant raw material to grow at a higher rate. FPI has been identified as a priority list in the “MAKE IN INDIA” program by the Government of India to boost its domestic manufacturing and export share. In the last few years, FPI has emerged as a high-growth and high-profit sector due to its immense potential for value addition while processing food products at various stages. The degree of processing of value addition to agricultural produce in India (20 %) is very low as compared to other countries, such as China (40 %), Brazil (70 %), and Malaysia (80 %). In India, the degree of processed food products ranges between 2 per cent (fruits and vegetables) and 35 per cent (milk) for various agriculture products. Hence there exist a huge potential for the growth of this sector in India. The export value of FPI was US$29.12 billion in 2016 and its share in world import was 2.18 per cent (Agarwal & Neogi, 2017).

India’s food processing sector covers fruit and vegetables; spices; meat and poultry; milk and milk products, alcoholic beverages, fisheries, plantation, grain processing, and other consumer product groups like confectionery, chocolates and cocoa products, soya-based products, mineral water, high protein foods, etc. The output of India’s food processing sector is expected to reach USD 535 Billion by 2025-26 (Invest India, 2020). Out of this, foreign investment is around Rs.10,000 crores (APEDA, 2020). Besides this, Government has also approved proposals for joint ventures; foreign collaboration, industrial licenses, and 100 per cent export-oriented units envisaging an investment.

1. FOOD AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

Food is the basic necessity of all the living world and the man is no exception to this. The basic purpose of food is to provide energy for the routine body functions and protect the body from various diseases. Life cannot be sustained without adequate nourishment for a healthy and active life, diets should therefore, be planned and consumed on sound nutritional principles (Fig. 1). For want of nutritious foods, consequence is the prevalence of malnutrition. There are several diseases that are related with deficiency of nutrition food, if not consumed. Such diseases include Kwashiorkor that can develop in children consuming insufficient protein even if total calories are sufficient. Marasmus is often due to the cessation of breast feeding and the attempt to replace it with foods, inadequate in protein such as rice broth. Other nutritional diseases still found particularly in the developing world are childhood blindness (vitamin A deficiency), rickets (vitamin D deficiency), beri-beri and infantile beri-beri (inadequate thiamin intake), pellagra (inadequate niacin intake), anemia (iron deficiency), goiter (iodine deficiency), etc. To cope up with this, the diet needs to be supplemented with nutritious food components including fruits and vegetables to make it more suitable for the growth and development of body.

Out of different types of foods, the fruits and vegetables constitute an important component of the food. Horticultural crops occupy a prominent position both in the importance and production in the world. The temperate fruits and vegetables are an important part of the horticultural crops, in terms of production and role in human health. These crops assume all the more importance due to their antioxidant activity, and presence of minerals and vitamins. Both fresh and processed fruits and vegetable, their different products are consumed. They are also called as protective foods. Fruits and vegetables are major sources of important vitamins like B and C and minerals such as Ca, Fe, P and K.

1.1 Importance of Food Process Engineering

Food occupies the first position among the hierarchal needs of human beings. It is more important than shelter and clothing. After production and be forec on sumpti on, food commodities are subjected to nume rous unfavourable physical, chemical, microbial or parasitic factors which may cause their spoilage or disease when consumed. To prevent such spoilage, a process engineer has to understand these and provide remedial measures. The two primary goals of processing operation are first to minimize post harvest losses and second value addition of raw food commodities through preservation and processing.

Present level of production of different types of food commodities and their estimated post-harvest losses along with monetary values are given in Table 1.1. It shows that various food items get lost, to the tune of 65 million tonnes, worth Rs. 76,000 crores per annum, during post-harvest phase. A substantial amount of these losses could be prevented if appropriate agro processing centers, having backward linkage with farmers to ensure constant supply of quality raw food materials, are established and operated. Profit generated through value addition must also be shared with farmers, who are only people in the world to create wealth every year, in the form of food, fiber and other commodities necessary for human survival. It can bring sea change in rural areas, where 65-70% population live, in respect of economy, health and happiness.

It sounds simple, but the above process is fairly complex and requires lot of coordination in order to succeed. The major challenge is to minimize the losses during the various post harvest operations and keep the food as fresh as possible. In order to do so, one must first try to understand the various causes of post harvest losses of food commodities and the various factors that influence theses causes. Secondly, we must use those food processing operations that will not only extend the shelf life of the produce but also convert the raw food commodities to more acceptable product to the consumer.

In today’s innovation driven economies, turning a great idea or new technology into something investors want to fund takes careful planning. This process is called investor readiness. which means making sure the idea works, has a market, and is presented in a way that makes investors feel confident. Therefore, Investor readiness means the preparedness of an innovation to attract and secure investment from potential investors. It has all the essential parameters in place that an investor would evaluate before deciding to invest. For inventors, this means showcasing innovation’s business potential, potential for growth, and the capability to provide a return on investment. Understanding investor readiness is important because it directly influences scalability and growth of invention. Even the most innovative ideas can struggle to find the financial benefits without showcasing business potential.
Why it is important to discuss investor readiness
Investor readiness is the state in which a technology, its value proposition, and its founding team are significantly prepared to engage with securing funding from potential investors. Without investor readiness, even high-potential innovations may fail to reach the market due to gaps in business clarity, legal assurance, or team maturity. TTOs play an important role in this process by acting as intermediaries between inventor and investors. Modern day TTOs are more inclined to prepare technologies and associated teams to attract investment. This expanded mandate of TTOs and brought in investor readiness. It requires a wellstructured approach focused on aligning academic innovations with investor expectations. TTOs help in creating this readiness by guiding researchers through commercial pathways, derisking technologies, and translating technical advancements into investment suitable.

Abstract

Majority of basic research in our country has foundations in Universities and various Institutions linked to them. This paves way for discovering wilder varieties of the present known cereals and other food crops. Such findings help in bioprospecting the required gene/genetic material for the improvement of the existing crops. As per the Biodiversity Act of 2002, it is the responsibility of these institutions to document the same. But, as research scientists are geared to meet the challenges? Being used to socialistic system from the days of Independence where knowledge generated was open to everyone or closed and kept under the mountains of files, the TRIPS agreement has come as a shock. But the true impact of it was realized in 1999-2000, when the patent amendments were taken up. The private institution/ companies went into the act immediately.  We in the University neither were slow to react nor were we prepared to take the shock.  In this paper some of the problems pertaining to IPR and scenario of Indian Universities and Institutions in this regard were highlighted.

Introduction

Agriculture as a primary sector in India is mostly production oriented. Global agriculture is experiencing significant changes in terms of technological and digital revolution, rapid urbanization, faster growth in middle income groups, changing food habits, market oscillations, and above all, climate change. During the last 50 years, India has recorded 4 to 10-fold increase in agriculture and food production(food grains-290 MT, horticultural produce -315 MT, milk production nearly 180 MT, and fish production approaching 12 MT), rendering the country as the second largest agrarian economy in the world (Singh, 2019). Despite the excellent progress, the country is home to over one third of the world’s small and marginal farm holders, with scattered land holding. Eighty f ive percent of the farmers are small and marginal. On the other hand, world’s population is growing and to meet the growing food demand there is a need to increase agricultural output by at least 60 percent globally, and 100 percent in developing countries (FAO, 2014a)

Jaggery: Raw brown / unrefined brown sugar in lump made from palm sap (Plate 365).

Jam: A preserved product prepared on boiling pectin contained in fruit pulp with required amount of sugar, water and acid to a reasonably thick consistency, firm enough to hold the fruit tissues in position (Plate 366).

Jam pack: The packing of the commodity tightly or in excess is called Jam pack.

Jamaica rum: Heavy bodied rum made by slow fermentation and marked by a pungent bouquet.

Jamboline: A type of glucose found in the jamun fruit help in cure of the diabetes in the patients.

Jelly: A product prepared by boiling clear extract of fruits with sugar. It should be transparent, well set, and tender enough to quiver but not flower and when cut; it should retain its shape and show a clean cut surface (Plate 367).

Jam is prepared by boiling the fruit pulp with required quantity of sugar to thick consistency, firm enough to hold fruit tissues in position. It should contain not less than 68.5 per cent soluble solids. Jam may be made from a single fruit (apple, strawberry, banana, pineapple etc.) or from combination of two or more fruits. Jam contains 0.5-0.6% acid and invert sugar should not be more than 40%.

Jam : It is a product prepared by boiling to a suitable consistency, fruit pulp with sufficient quantity of sugar, acid and pectin so as to set and become firm enough to hold the tissues in position. About 45 parts of pulp are used with every 55 parts of sugar. The finished product should not contain less than 68 per cent total soluble solids.

Jelly : Jelly is prepared by boiling the fruit pectin extract with sugar in the presence of appropriate amounts of acid so as to set into a clear gel. A perfect jelly is transparent, devoid of haziness or any suspended material well set, but not too stiff and should have original flavour of the fruit. When cut it should retain its shape and show a smooth cut surface.

Marmalade : It is a fruit jelly like product in which slices of fruit or peel are suspended in the set gel. Mostly they are prepared from citrus fruits like oranges, lemons etc.

K ration: It is a lightweight packaged ration of emergency foods developed for the U.S. armed forces in World War II (Plate 371).

Kaiser rolls: A round crusty roll often used for sandwiches (Plate 372).

Kalamata /calamata: It is brine cured black olive grown in Greece.

Kamucha: Tea cider or fermented tea beverages is known as kamucha. The fermentation process take place by the presence of yeast and bacteria

Kanji: Clean, black coloured, crisp and sound product of characteristic flavor prepared by full fermentation (chiefly lactic acid fermentation) of black carrot with 2.5% salt, 1% powder mustard and some amount of water. It is fermented to make ready to serve drink which is known as Kanji. Each kilogram of the grated carrots yields just 7-8 litres of kanji.

Karl Fischer Titration: Karl Fischer Titration is used for estimation of moisture content of foods (low moisture products).

Kasseri cheese: The simple unpasteurized sheep’s milk cheese (sometimes mixed with goat’s milk) is called kasseri. It is popular in Greece. It is made in the shape of wheel, fairly firm and pale yellow (Plate 373). The word kasseri comes from the Turkish kasar which means that it has ability to hold its shape when heated.

SYNOPSIS

We lag in nutritional awareness. The therapeutic values of plant foods, such as vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices and other foods like dairy products, fluids and meats are to be brought to light. The values of important nutrients, may lead to the basis for nutritional education lacking at present. There is need to bring awareness and add to the knowledge of the younger generation. A food is something that provides nutrients. Nutrients are substances that provide: energy for activity, growth, and all functions of the body such as breathing, digesting food, and keeping warm; materials for the growth and repair of the body, and for keeping the immune system healthy.

Lab coat: A loose white coat with deep pockets that is worn in a laboratory or medical office.

Labelling: It means any written, printed or graphic matter that is present on the label, accompanies the food or is displayed near the food, including that for the purpose of promoting its sale or disposal. After packaging, labels are required on the finished products intended for distribution and sale. Labelling can reflect on the quality of the product. It must be clear and informative. Information includes Name of the Manufacturer, Date of Manufacture, Net Weight, Gross Weight, Best before etc. Proper storage is needed for maintenance of the quality. Storage must be done only at recommended temperature, relative humidity, light and air / oxygen and carbon dioxide conditions etc. to maintain the quality of the food product. Label may include tag, brand, and pictorial or descriptive matter, written, printed, embossed, graphic, perforated, stencilled or stamped impressions. It is attached to container, cover, lid, or crown of a food package (Plate 384).

Laboratory: A place equipped for experimental study in a science or for testing and analysis. Broadly, it is a place providing opportunity for experimentation, observation, or practice in a field of study.

Lacquer: It is a colloidal dispersion of a solution of cellulose derivative, resin and plasticizer in solvent and diluents, where in all these constituents dried in air by evaporation of solvents, thus yielding a transparent, hard and water proof film.

13.1. Introduction

Any written, printed, or graphic matter that is present on the label and serves the purpose of promoting the sale of any product is known as food label (WHO). It is believed in general that food packaging and proper labelling plays an important role in food safety as it gives information regarding allergens present, manufacturing site, expiry date, nutritional information etc.

Consumption of unhealthy diet leads to many non-communicable diseases. Therefore, it is the responsibilities of food manufacturers and regulating bodies such as FSSAI and BIS to work hand in hand to provide safe and healthy food to the consumers. Labelling is an important tool useful to disseminate nutritional information to the consumers. Labelling promotes healthy eating among consumers and gives them an option at the time of purchase to choose healthy food. Information in labelling the enables consumers to choose appropriate food according to their diets and lifestyle (Grunert and Wills, 2007). In addition, the information related to nutritional content of the food must be present in such a way that it well understood by every consumer (Wills et al., 2009).

1. Food Labelling

Food labelling is the primary means of communication between the producer and seller of food on one hand, and the purchaser and consumer on the other.

Basic Terminology in Food labelling

‘‘Food” means any substance, whether processed, semi-processed or raw, which is intended for human consumption, and includes drinks, chewing gum and any substance which has been used in the manufacture, preparation or treatment of “food” but does not include cosmetics or tobacco or substances used only as drugs.

‘‘Ingredient” means any substance, including a food additive, used in the manufacture or preparation of a food and present in the final product although possibly in a modified form.

1. INTRODUCTION

Amongst the common fermentations employed in food are alcoholic, lactic acid and acetic acid. Lactic acid fermentation is a potent tool of biopreservation of foods by the use of biological means i.e. microorganisms or their metabolites having antimicrobial action. It deals with the extension of storage life and increased safety of edible products by employing natural microflora or their antimicrobial products such as in food fermentation. Though many problems in food processing and microbiological safety of food have diminished, yet these are certainly not eliminated altogether. These include the likelihood of food-related illness and product spoilage in industrialized countries. The increasing consumption of pre-cooked food, prone to temperature abuse, are among the main causes of this scenario. The bacterial pathogens that account for many of these foodborne illness cases include Salmonella, Compylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli 0157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium botulinum. Until now, approaches to seek improved food safety had relied heavily to find out more efficient chemical preservatives or on the application of more drastic physical treatments (e.g. high temperatures) of food processing. Nevertheless, these types of solutions do have some drawbacks also: the proven toxicity of some of the commonest used chemical preservatives (e.g. nitrites), the alteration of the sensory and nutritional properties of foods (thermal processing) especially recent consumer trends in purchasing and consumption, with demands for safe but minimally processed products without additives.

Lamination and coating techniques are integral to modern food packaging, providing additional layers of protection, functionality, and appeal to the packaging materials. These techniques enhance barrier properties, improve durability, and enable packaging to withstand a range of environmental and mechanical stresses. Lamination typically involves bonding multiple layers of materials to achieve specific characteristics, such as moisture resistance, heat stability, and strength. Coating, on the other hand, adds a surface layer that can enhance properties like grease resistance, sealability, and printability. This chapter explores the various lamination and coating techniques used in food packaging, examining their applications, benefits, and potential limitations.

    1.    Cereals are grown over 73% of the total world harvested area and contribute over 60% of the world food production providing dietary fibre, proteins, energy, minerals,  vitamins, b-glucans , Oligosaccharides, such as lactulose, fructo-oligosaccharides, transgalacto-oligosaccharides

    2.    Finger millet is a potent source of antioxidants and has potent radical-scavenging activity that is higher than that of wheat, rice, and other millets; these results corresponded to their phenolic content

    3.    The brown or red variety of finger millet, which is commonly available, had higher activity (94%) than the white variety (4%) using the DPPH method.

    4.    Most of the herbal plant polyphenols are known to have multi functional properties such as reducing agents, hydrogen donating antioxidants and singlet oxygen quenchers and flavonoids and their derivatives are the largest and most important group of polyphenols.

    5.    Phytosterols are found in plant foods and are structurally and functionally analogous to cholesterol in vertebrate animals. a-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol are the most commonly occurring phytosterols and constitute 95% of total phytosterols in the diet.

Meat and meat products industry is a sunrise industry in India having huge potential for upliftment of agricultural economy. India is the second largest food producer in world but the contribution of meat industry is still confined to localized handlers. So to uplift industry basic infrastructure, food chains, food security and safety along with standards and laws formulation and their implementations is today’s need. Standards are carefully drawn specifications with respect to a food product. These standards are mainly of three types i.e. government, trade and research standards. Government standards are formulated by the government of India or state government and also have the power to implement these standards while trade standards are implied by the individual company. Research standards are formulated on the basis of comparative study of the products by the researchers. Laws are the legislations enforced by the organisations either government or by autonomous bodies made under the constitutional acts of the country. At present numerous standards and laws are in existence in individual country or at international level. The need is to harmonize them as per the industry and trade requirement.

Domestic Organizations Involved in Standards and Laws Formulation

For the formulation, enforcement and control of standards and legislations at domestic level various organizations are of prime value. Some of these are:

8.1 Key legal statutes and regulatory foundations
Various policy measures were also undertaken by the Government of India in due course of time. The Government of India enacted four science policies after gaining independence, i.e. Scientific Policy Resolution (1958), Technology Policy Statement (1983), Science and Technology Policy (2003) and Science Technology and Innovation Policy (2013). The 1983 Technology Policy Statement possessed a simple goal of creating indigenous technology and boosting efficient absorption and adaptation of imported technologies suited to the nation’s priorities and. The Technology Policy Statement of 1983 was followed up through the establishment of the Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), an autonomous organization entirely owned by the Government of India under the Department of Science and Technology during 1988. TIFAC also offers some funding and supports development and commercialization of technologies through the home-grown technology scheme, among its other operations. The Technology Development Board Act (1995) was also a significant policy move of the government in the same direction. Also in recent times, the Government of India also unveiled its own National IPR Policy 2016 with the motto cum slogan “Creative India, Innovative India”. In addition, the policy is aligned to a number of other schemes of the Indian Government like “Make in India”, “Atal Innovation Mission”, “Start-Up India” and “Stand-Up India”, all aimed at encouraging creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship in the nation.

Introduction

Export of quality seafood products is important to have a success in international marketing. Exporters must be quality conscious and the Governments must insist on quality control and inspection. The seafood export industry in India is over 50 years old. Seafood contributes 10% of the total exports and nearly 20% of all agricultural exports. In the year 2022-23, India exported 17,35,286 MT seafood to more than 100 countries worth US $8.09 billion equivalent to Rs. 63,969.14 crore. There are over 150 fish processing facilities approved by the European Union out of the existing 350 processing facilities. The Export Inspection Council and the Marine Products Export Development Authority are working very closely with the fish processing industries for the growth of seafood exports.

The Government of India enacted the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act, 1963 for the development of export trade through quality control and inspection. It empowers the Government to notify the products intended for compulsory quality control and inspection prior to their export. It specifies the type of quality control required for the notified products. It recognizes standard specifications for a notified product. It prohibits the export of notified products that are not complying with export conditions. It creates a machinery for quality control and take measures to protect markets for Indian commodities. As the first step, Export Inspection Council (the Council) was established on 1st January 1964 for implementation of various provisions of the Export (Quality Control & Inspection) Act, 1963.