SRI LANKA'S VISION FOR FOOD INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATION

Small nations like Sri Lanka seems to be moving faster in developing and regulating food processing industry compared to its giant neighbor where food safety is a joke! The new institute if properly planned and administered the food industry as well as the consumers in that country will have far reaching benefits. Collaboration and cooperation with the industry can ensure the success of this initiative. An extract from a recent report from Sri Lanka is reproduced below:

"An institute to widen the capacity of the food industry and acting as a regulatory and policy making institute was launched recently titled the Institute of Food Science and Technology Sri Lanka (IFTSL). The Sri Lanka Food Processors Association initiated the inauguration of the institute held recently at the Taj Samudra in Colombo. The institute will comprise of five board of Governors namely Dr. Upali Samarajiva, Dr. D.P.T. Wijeratne, Prof. K.K.D.S. Ranaweera, Mario De Alwis and Hamilton Dias. Chief Guest on the occasion, well-known marketer Rohantha Atukorala said that with the government's targeted growth agenda this new institute "falls in beautifully in driving technology readiness in this sector." He said that while these institutes were a requisite at this currently juncture it is imperative to understand that in carrying out reforms appropriate leadership is necessary. The food processing sector directly employs over 300, 000 people while supporting over 4 million back stream producers, SLFPA President Rohantha De Fonseka said. The institute will also engage in providing independent advice to the government on national policies and regulatory matters while also catering to consumer interests it will provide a forum for professionals to exchange ideas, conduct research and promote innovation, he said. He noted that the lack of a required forum was implemented in order to cater to the needs of the industry with the intention of improving their skills, competencies and standards and to be the voice of the industry in the country and internationally".

In India there is a surfeit of food technology institutions with practically no accountability or utility to either the industry or the entrepreneur. Further details can be had from the web site cited above.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com