Lok Sabha Question No. 3288 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-20
Subject: Regulations for Plant-based Food Innovation
Ministry: FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES
Asked by: Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Dr. Hemant Vishnu Savara, Shri Ravindra Shukla Alias Ravi Kishan, Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Shri Manoj Tiwari, Shri Kanwar Singh Tanwar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3288

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 TH  MARCH, 2025

## REGULATIONS FOR PLANT-BASED FOOD INNOVATION

## 3288.   DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA:

SHRI KANWAR SINGH TANWAR:

DR. RAJESH MISHRA:

SHRI RAVINDRA SHUKLA ALIAS RAVI KISHAN:

SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

SHRI MANOJ TIWARI:

Will the Minister of FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:

- (a) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  create  clear  and  supportive regulations for plant-based food innovation;
- (b) the manner in which World Food India (WFI) 2025 is likely to ensure that plant-based food startups get access to domestic and international markets;
- (c) the details of the mechanisms to be adopted to measure the contribution of this event to sustainable growth and India's net-zero emission target;
- (d) the  manner  in  which  the  Government  proposes  to  support  and  promote  MSMEs  to transform or expand into the plant based food sector; and
- (e) the plan to encourage startups in the Sidhi Parliamentary Constituency?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (SHRI RAVNEET SINGH)

(a): In  order  to  promote  and  ensure  overall  development  of  Food  Processing  Industries including those handling plant based food products, Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)  has  been  incentivizing  setting  up/expansion  of  related  infrastructure  through  its Central Sector schemes namely Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY) Scheme, Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and Centrally Sponsored - Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme across the country. These schemes are not region or state specific but demand driven.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the administration of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India had notified regulations on Food Safety and Standards (Approval of non-specified food and food ingredients) Regulations, 2017 for such foods for which standards have not been specified.

Further, FSSAI also notified the Food Safety and Standards (Food or Health supplements, Nutraceuticals, Foods for special dietary uses, Foods for medical purposes, Functional foods and Novel foods) Regulations, 2016. A larger number of products, that would have otherwise required specific approvals from Food Authority, got covered.

(b)  : World  Food  India  (WFI)  has  served  as  a  premier  platform  to  highlight  investment opportunities and advancements in food processing, including plant-based foods. World Food India (WFI) 2025 scheduled to be held during 25-28 September 2025, will further strengthen its  role  as  a  catalyst  for  the  growth  of  plant-based  food  industry  including  startups  by facilitating their integration into domestic and international markets.

WFI 2025 will feature dedicated thematic sessions, exhibitions, and knowledge-sharing forums focused on bringing together key stakeholders, including global investors, retailers, distributors, policymakers, and research institutions. The event will provide B2B matchmaking opportunities, international delegations, and industry roundtables to enhance market access, promote investments, and facilitate exports of plant-based food products.

(c): World  Food  India  2024,  held  during  19-22  September  2024,  emphasized  sustainable growth and India's net-zero emission target through its key focus pillars: "Minimum Waste, Maximum Value" and sustainable packaging in food processing industries. These pillars aimed to  promote  resource  efficiency,  waste  reduction,  and  environmentally  friendly  packaging solutions across the sector.

World Food India 2025 will continue to prioritize these sustainability-driven initiatives, fostering industry collaboration and innovation to align with India's long-term environmental and economic goals.

In addition, Ministry supports renewable source of energy viz. Solar, Bio-mass, Wind, etc. for projects in its schemes to achieve the target of India's net-zero emission.

(d): Ministry extends financial support to prospective entrepreneurs for setting up of different kinds  of  food  processing  industries  including  plant  based  food  products,  as  per  respective scheme guidelines.

(e): In order to promote startups in food processing sector, MoFPI support startups through its two autonomous Institutions namely, National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship & Management, Kundli, Haryana (NIFTEM-K) and National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship  & Management, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu (NIFTEM-T) across the country including Sidhi Parliamentary Constituency. The Institutes also provide handholding support, mentorship, training, access to facilities such as Pilot Plant, NABL-accredited Food Testing Labs, incubation services, quality testing, R&D support, networking opportunities, etc. to these Startups.

Also, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade launched the Startup India initiative on 16th January 2016 to build a strong ecosystem for nurturing innovation, startups and encouraging investments in the Startup ecosystem of the country.

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