Swati Deb/Commodity Online
Stating that the Ministry of Food Processing Industry has declared fiscal 2008-09 as Food Quality and Safety Year, the government today said the investors should make optimum use of the same.

The time is right for increased investment in food processing sector, as there's growing demand and also the sector has remained "virtually tax less", Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Mr Subodh Kant Sahay, said here.

"Investors must take advantage of the opportunities offered by the food processing sector in India in 2008-2009, which has been declared by the ministry as Food Quality and Safety Year," Sahai said inaugurating a two-day seminar 'Freedom from Food borne Illnesses through Safe Kitchens' organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

He called for more such awareness programmes to make India a "safe food destination". He said the food-processing sector in India had recorded a growth of 13.4 per cent growth amidst adversities in the global market.

On the basis of a detailed review of the 10th Plan, the ministry has restructured its thrust areas. "Infrastructure development would be given a high priority during the 11th Plan, which will have a direct bearing on food safety and quality," the Minister said.

He said, plans are afoot for a scheme would soon be launched for street food vendors to help them upgrade hygiene and quality of street food. "The vendors would be identified, profiled, trained in food safety," the minister informed.

India also planned to increase the level of food processing from two per cent at present to 20-35 per cent by 2015, officials said.

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