NewzVille Desk
The Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Chirag Paswan, today chaired the second meeting of the Committee constituted to counter misleading publicity related to processed foods. The meeting was attended by committee members, senior officials, industry leaders and representatives of industry associations.
During the meeting, Minister Paswan said that food processing is critical for food safety, nutrition, reduction of wastage and enhancement of farmers’ incomes, and stressed that myths and misinformation surrounding processed foods must be actively addressed through science-based communication, transparency and responsible engagement.
He underlined the importance of leveraging counter social media influencers, digital platforms and other mass communication channels, along with collective stakeholder responsibility, to build a balanced public narrative and ensure that correct and credible information on food processing reaches every citizen.
Avinash Joshi, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, briefly outlined the actions taken since the previous meeting, including stakeholder consultations, expert review and nationwide outreach of approved FAQs, and reiterated the need for coordinated stakeholder efforts to strengthen informed public discourse.
Rajit Punhani, Chief Executive Officer, FSSAI, was also present on the meeting.
The deliberations were further enriched by participation from leading industry associations including FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, AIFPA, AFSTI and FSNM, as well as senior executives from major food processing companies, reflecting a whole-of-government and whole-of-industry approach to counter misleading publicity on processed foods.
