Fermenta Biotech has inaugurated the Fermenta – Centre of Excellence for Food Fortification at the National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management – Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T), marking a significant step towards strengthening research, innovation and collaboration in food fortification.

The Centre has been established through a collaboration between Fermenta Biotech, NIFTEM-Thanjavur, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), Government of India, and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) – India. The initiative aims to bring together industry, academia and development expertise to support applied research, capacity building and the development of practical solutions in food fortification.

The inauguration ceremony was conducted by Dr. Ranjit Singh, IA&AS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, alongside Prashant Nagre, Managing Director, Fermenta Biotech; Dr. Bhuvaneswari Balasubramanian, Country Director, GAIN India; and Prof. V. Palanimuthu, Director, NIFTEM-Thanjavur.

The occasion was also attended by Ms Kumud Singh, IAS, Director, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Himachal Pradesh, along with several distinguished representatives from academia, healthcare and research institutions.

Among the dignitaries present were Dr. N. Venkatachalapathy, Dean (Research, Consultancy & IR), NIFTEM-T; Dr. S. Shanmugasundaram, Registrar, NIFTEM-T; Dr. M. Loganathan, Professor and Dean (Academics), NIFTEM-T; Dr. R. Jaganmohan, Professor and Dean (Students Welfare), NIFTEM-T; Dr. Sunil Nayak, Head of Community Medicine, Gorti Medical College, GMERS, Vadodara; Dr. Sirimavo Nair, Head and Honorary Professor; and Dr. Suneeta S. Chandorkar, Honorary Professor and Coordinator, Centre for Public Health, Navrachana University.

According to Fermenta Biotech, the Centre of Excellence is envisioned as a platform that will help translate research and collaborative expertise into practical food fortification solutions. It will facilitate knowledge exchange, applied research and engagement among stakeholders across the food and nutrition ecosystem.

The initiative reflects Fermenta Biotech’s commitment to contributing to India’s nutrition priorities by supporting innovation and evidence-based approaches to food fortification.

Source: Fermenta Biotech