Food has a strong connection with religion and whether Hindus or Christians or Muslims food is an integral part of religious functions. Seventh Day Adventist Church, one of the significant denominations amongst Christianity has a substantial interest in vegetarian foods as they discourage red meat consumption because of health considerations. They have substantial business portfolio in foods and are involved in manufacturing and marketing of cereals and and cereal based products, meat analogs from soybean and soya milk and powder. They control 16% of cereals market in australia and 40% in New Zealand. They are reported to be owning about 40 food processing units in different parts of the world, operating in Japan, Korea, Middle East, West Africa, Asia and their food exports to more than 20 countries are valued at $ 529 million.
"The church in Australia owns Sanitarium Health Food Company, which controls about 16 percent of the cereal market in that country, 40 percent in New Zealand, and owns five of the top 10 selling cereal brands in Australia, including Weet-Bix, the most recognized brand of breakfast cereal and Australia's most popular cereal for more than 30 years".
Probably their strong belief in natural foods which they consider as healthy is the drive engine for their extra ordinary interest in food processing. The economic returns from these ventures are ploughed back for some of their missionary activities in developing countries. In India there is the Jain community which also believes strongly in vegetarianism, excluding even materials like onion, garlic and some natural foods from their products and being resourceful people they can venture into food processing based on plant raw materials in a big way.
V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment