World · India Bureau
CSIR-NIIST and Tata Consumer join forces on food fortification centre
A premier research institute and leading consumer products company have partnered to establish a Centre of Excellence for Food Fortification in Kerala's capital, addressing nutritional deficiency challenges across South Asia.
LSN India ·
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research's National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) and Tata Consumer Products Ltd have formalized their collaboration through a memorandum of understanding signed during the 85th CSIR Foundation Day celebrations in New Delhi on Friday.
The proposed Centre of Excellence will be based in Thiruvananthapuram, leveraging CSIR-NIIST's research capabilities and Tata Consumer's industry expertise to develop innovative food fortification solutions. The initiative aims to enhance the nutritional content of staple foods, addressing micronutrient deficiencies that remain a significant public health concern across the region.
The partnership combines academic research infrastructure with commercial production knowledge, positioning the centre to bridge the gap between laboratory innovations and market-ready fortified food products. By establishing this facility in Kerala, the collaboration seeks to create scalable models that can benefit consumers across India and neighbouring countries.
Food fortification has emerged as a cost-effective public health intervention, and the centre is expected to drive research into fortifying commonly consumed items such as rice, flour, and edible oils with essential vitamins and minerals. The joint initiative aligns with India's broader nutritional security objectives and contributes to addressing malnutrition-related challenges affecting vulnerable populations.