Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan on Monday, 2 February 2026, chaired the second meeting of the Committee constituted to counter misleading publicity related to processed foods. The meeting, held at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, brought together committee members, senior government officials, industry leaders, and representatives of key industry associations to strengthen coordinated action against misinformation.
Food Processing Critical for Safety, Nutrition and Farmer Incomes
Addressing the participants, Shri Chirag Paswan underlined that food processing plays a vital role in food safety, nutrition security, reduction of post-harvest wastage, and enhancement of farmers’ incomes. He stressed that persistent myths and misinformation surrounding processed foods must be addressed proactively through science-based communication, transparency, and responsible public engagement.
The Union Minister called for a balanced and credible public narrative, emphasising the need to ensure that accurate, evidence-backed information on food processing reaches citizens across the country.
Leveraging Digital Platforms and Influencers
Shri Paswan highlighted the importance of leveraging digital platforms, social media, and counter social media influencers to challenge misleading narratives. He said collective responsibility across government, regulators, industry, and civil society is essential to counter misinformation effectively and build public trust in food processing practices.
Review of Actions Since First Meeting
Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries Avinash Joshi briefed the Committee on progress made since the previous meeting. He outlined steps such as stakeholder consultations, expert reviews, and nationwide outreach of approved FAQs, and reiterated the need for coordinated, sustained stakeholder engagement to strengthen informed public discourse on processed foods.
Participation from Regulators and Industry
The meeting was attended by senior officers of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, including the Special Secretary, Joint Secretaries, and other senior officials. Representatives from key regulatory and technical institutions, including the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, also participated.
Ranjit Punhani, Chief Executive Officer of FSSAI, was present at the meeting.
Deliberations were further enriched by participation from leading industry associations such as FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, AIFPA, AFSTI, and FSNM, along with senior executives from major food processing companies.
Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Industry Approach
The wide participation reflected a whole-of-government and whole-of-industry approach to counter misleading publicity on processed foods. The Committee reiterated the importance of collaborative action, consistent messaging, and evidence-based outreach to promote informed consumer choices.
Conclusion
The second meeting chaired by Shri Chirag Paswan reinforced the Government’s commitment to counter misinformation on processed foods through science, transparency, and stakeholder collaboration. By aligning regulators, industry, and communication platforms, the initiative aims to ensure that citizens receive credible, balanced, and factual information, supporting food safety, nutrition, and the growth of India’s food processing sector.
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Source: PIB
