The second day of Food Forum India 2009 began on a very educating note with key people from the industry talking on a subject very close to the food industry-ie food quality.
The session was titled, ‘Complexity of food quality: International quality assurance and food safety benchmarks.’
The anchor for the session – Kristian Moeller, MD, GlobalGAP, Germany asking the panel to share their views on the importance of ‘laboratory testing’ of food products.
International panelists – Peter Funk, GM SGF international e.V and Dr. Kurt-Peter Raezke, Director Testing and Analytics Intertek Food Services emphasised the importance of lab-testing.
Giving an Indian perspective Gunender Kapur, President and Chief Executive, Foods Business, RIL, mentioned that in India almost 90-95 per cent of goods supplied to retailers (in the food category) was loose and not packaged hence it would be most apt that the supply chain take the initiative of testing the products before they finally reach the retailer.
Abhijit Upadhye, Director, National Supply Chain, Menu Management and New Business Channels, McDonald’s India also said, “Training has to be given right across the value chain and not just be dependent on lab-testing facility.”
S. Dave, Director, APEDA and Vice Chairman, Codex Alimentarius Commission urged the retailers to take an initiative regarding food safety measures as the government all by itself was not in a position to do everything.
— Zainab Morbiwala, Mumbai Bureau
