The National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM-K) celebrated World Food Day 2023 in association with the Ind Food and Beverage Association (IFBA).
World Food Day 2023
New Delhi, India: This year’s World Food Day celebrates one of the world’s most valuable resources – water. It is necessary for life on Earth. It covers most of the Earth’s surface, accounts for over half of our bodies, keeps us fed, supports livelihoods, and is critical to attaining the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM – Kundli), in association with the Ind Food and Beverage Association (IFBA), celebrated World Food Day 2023 on the 16th of October 2023 at the NIFTEM-K Campus.
Food for a Better Tomorrow – Building Synergies
The event, titled “Food for a Better Tomorrow – Building Synergies,” highlighted the importance of food security, sustainable practises, and India’s position in the global food landscape.
Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing and Industries, Government of India, inaugurated the event. G. Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO of FSSAI, addressed the gathering in the presence of senior government officials as well as representatives of industry bodies such as the Indian Food and Beverage Association, Indian Beverage Association (IBA), Plant-Based Foods Industries Association (PBFIA), India Honey Alliance (IHA).
Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi, Director of NIFTEM-K, expressed his enthusiasm for the event and said, “It’s a great moment for NIFTEM-K to celebrate World Food Day with the Ind Food and Beverage Association and other Food Industry Associations. NIFTEM-K endeavours to work coherently with the Food Industry in developing novel healthy and palatable food products, providing solutions to the food processing and safety concerns of the food industry and support in extending the shelf life of different food products. Coming together and building synergies on World Food Day will set a positive tone for fostering the linkages between NIFTEM-K and the Food Industry, eventually helping in consolidating the industry at the processing level and reducing food wastages in the country.”
Global speakers from Italy, Venture Capitalists, NGOs, several sectoral associations of the F&B industries, Startups and large food companies such as Unilever India, Coca-Cola India, KRBL Limited, Mrs. Bectors Foods Specialities, Abbott India, Nourishco, Bisleri, McDonald’s, Ferrero Rocher India, Chitale Bandhu Mithaiwale, and others participated in engaging panel discussions organised to commemorate ‘World Food Day 2023’. The event witnessed panel discussions covering food processing technology, sustainability, food safety and security, and outlook and vision for the sector in 2047.
Deepak Jolly, Chairperson Ind Food & Beverage Association (IFBA), said, “This collaborative effort embodies the essence of ‘Food for a Better Tomorrow – Building Synergies’. We are proud to be part of an event that not only spotlights India’s dynamic role in the global food landscape but also signifies our collective commitment to driving sustainable practices in the F&B sector. While NIFTEM-K is working diligently to develop novel food products and enhance food safety, IFBA is dedicated to promoting industry growth sustainably.”
History of World Food Day
Dr. Pal Romany, the former Hungarian Minister of Agriculture and Food, proposed the creation of World Food Day in November 1979. This global observance is now celebrated by over 150 countries worldwide. In commemoration of the establishment of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, World Food Day is annually recognized on October 16th.
This international day is spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and is dedicated to raising awareness about food security, hunger, and agricultural concerns on a global scale. World Food Day provides a platform for advocating actions to combat worldwide hunger, enhance accessibility to nourishing food, endorse sustainable agricultural practices, emphasize the need to minimize food wastage, and underscore the importance of eradicating malnutrition.
The theme for World Food Day 2023
The theme for World Food Day 2023 is: Water is life, water is food. Leave no one behind. “Water is essential to life on Earth. It covers the majority of the Earth’s surface, makes up over 50% of our bodies, produces our food, and supports our livelihoods. But this precious resource is not infinite, and we must stop taking it for granted. What we eat and how that food is produced all affect water.
Photo courtesy: freepik.com
