A value add Webinar titled “Food Product Development for Therapeutic Purposes” was organised for 132 MSc Dietetics and Applied Nutrition students and all WGSHA faculty on 18^th April, 2020. Principal Chef K Thirugnanasambathan welcomed the eminent resource person, Dr R Jagan Mohan, Professor, Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology, Tamil Nadu and everyone to the session. Dr Meenakshi Garg, Coordinator, MSc DAN, introduced Dr Jagan.

He gave us some very practical tips and made us privy to all the novel technologies and products being developed and marketed by IIFPT for various segments of the population in need. The major focus of the Webinar was on innovative food product development (like non-dairy millet milk ice-cream, non-diary coconut milk ice-cream, neera sugar crystals), principles involved in manufacturing, challenges faced during processing and vision of IIFPT to design more food products in the coming future. One of the most awe-inspiring technologies he showed is a 3D printing machine to make energy protein dense customised food in cartoon character shapes! for children in Anganwadis to provide supplementary nutrition.

Another innovative best practice was the BEST OUT OF WASTE initiative. Many products like edible katoris, plates, spoons and also cheap and healthy snacks have been designed by IIFPT in collaboration with PEPSICO using pomegranate and pulse waste, oats and pomace waste, jackfruit waste, potato and grapes waste.

Dr Jagan expertly handled the doubts and clarifications from students and faculty during the question and answer session. The Webinar concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms Pallavi Shettigar, Assistant Professor-Selection Grade, MScDAN.