NIFTEM in collaboration with Hexagon Nutrition and GAIN India, recently established the Centre of Excellence for Food Fortification (CEFF) at its Kundli Campus, Sonipat for students to learn the technical aspects of the food fortification process.

The center was inaugurated at NIFTEM Kundli Campus by the honorable Minister of Food Processing Industries, Pashupati Kumar Paras. The primary objective of establishing this center of excellence is to bolster the practical know-how of the staple food fortification process along with this theoretical knowledge via classroom training and on-site demonstrations. CEFF is an ultimate training arena for all those who want to contribute to the food processing industry with staple food fortification including students, FBOs, or any other food development professional. With CEFF, NIFTEM is envisioning establishing three manufacturing and demonstration units of food fortification.

In the coming years, CEFF will serve as an incredible base of research and development for NIFTEM students that will help them augment their skills and expertise in fortified food production.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Chindi Vasudevappa, vice chancellor, NIFTEM said, “The food processing sector requires skilled manpower and NIFTEM emerges as the hub of optimal research and education. With this Centre of Excellence, we want to strengthen the knowledge and practical experience of young talents that will help them in excelling in the food processing sector. We are more inclined towards developing the technical and practical knowledge that will come from research-oriented learning.”

NIFTEM is known for bracing the entrepreneurial force in the food processing industry, therefore partnering with Hexagon Nutrition - a differentiated and research-oriented pure-play nutrition company, which is popular for its micronutrient premixes, clinical nutrition products, and therapeutic foods; enhances the program in totality. Hexagon Nutrition will be extending complete support to the centre of excellence, it will be a combined effort to strengthen the practical and theoretical knowledge of the students regarding food fortification.

Delighted by the association, Arun Kelkar, chairman, Hexagon Nutrition said, “Food fortification is the future of the food and nutrition industry that can bring a revolution in the way people consume micronutrients enriched food. Nurturing today's generation, with the potential of food fortification backed by theoretical and practical knowledge can further accelerate its impact on society. NIFTEM has taken a step towards enlightening the generation with the Centre of Excellence for food fortification and Hexagon Nutrition is all-set to extend its support”.

Speaking on the occasion, Tarun Vij, country director GAIN India, said, “Centre of excellence on food fortification is an excellent example of a collaborative approach between industry, academia and the development sector to scale up the staple food fortification efforts in the country to address the challenge of micronutrient malnutrition.”

NIFTEM, Hexagon Nutrition and GAIN India have made one of the biggest contributions towards reducing micronutrient deficiency and improving nutrition intake. The involvement of this centre of excellence in the curriculum will make the students competent enough to become assets to the food processing companies. Additionally, it is a great approach to strengthen the professional portfolio of the students and open new avenues of opportunities in the food development and processing vertical.