This year has not been a year of earning profits, #business expansion or taking new up new ventures. On the contrary, the year is seeing a struggle to survive, a year for the survival of the fittest. The entire human race is in misery created by #COVID-19. The implementation of #lockdown to save the country’s economy proved unfruitful giving in to many loopholes. The efforts put in were futile as the cases keeps surging every minute.
Many industries are seen bubbling just at the survival level, and ice cream industry is one among them. Never had anyone foresaw the catastrophic fall of #pandemic will transform the #evolution into. The #icecreamindustry has taken hat trick blow at the same time. One was the #rumours about the consumption of ice cream to #spread #COVID-19 as any #frozenfood will give sore throat and cough. Second one was lockdown and stand still #transportation where no shops, wholesale or retail were open, ice cream #cafes, #outlets and #parlours were shut. The movement on roads being restricted, the #refrigerated ice cream vans were #immobilized with prohibition to cross the state borders added to the agony of the #manufacturers. And the third is the last nail in the coffin—“mass migrations of labour” in thousands and lakhs from one state to another.
According to #Mukesh Kothari from #ManMohak Ice cream, state of Gujarat faced labour shortage to the core as around 15-20 lakhs of migrant workers left for their hometown leaving a vacuum behind them.
In the Webinar Talk Show, which is presented in two section discusses over the anguish faced by the ice cream industry and its future plans of action.
At the panelist we had #Ms.#PaolaFelletti representing #Carpigiani from #Italy. #Felletti says that in Italy things are taking better shape with permission to travel and dining out, but followed with restrictions.
#HimanshuKanwar from #HUL- #KwalityWalls opined that as all the manufacturers are facing the similar bad times and such meetings are necessary as it helps spring up newer ideas of businesses for e.g. innovative concept of ad campaign, making appearance on national and international level through media can be strategically planned to dawn new businesses with a phenomenal vision.
Our Moderator #Firoz H. Naqvi informed that the following talk show had a participation from 20 states bringing the entire ice cream industry’s stalwarts in one single attendance. To name few, the show had participants from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Bihar, Odisha, Kerala, New Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and others.
Panelist contained the champions of Indian ice cream world:
Sudhir Shah – (#Scoops Ice Cream – Telangana)
Ashish Nahar – (#FunIndiaDairy – Maharashtra)
Paola Felletti Spardazzi– (Carpigiani – Italy)
Madhusudan Parikh – (#CreamBell Ice cream – New Delhi)
Himanshu Kanwar – (#KwalityWalls Ice cream- Maharashtra)
Girish Pai – (#Naturals Ice Cream- Maharashtra)
Puneet Duggal – (Kap Group – New Delhi)
The outbreak of COVID-19 has not only posed a threat to lives but also affected the world’s economy – supply chains, businesses and jobs. In response to this pandemic, the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is taking several steps to ensure un-interrupted food services/supply as well as industry facilitation during the lockdown period.
While food safety is our paramount concern, FSSAI appreciates the need to facilitate food businesses to function in these trying times when the supply chains are badly affected. Key steps have taken by FSSAI in the COVID lockdown period.
Import clearances of food items and food testing laboratories (National Food Labs at NCR and Kolkata and FSSAI accredited private laboratories) have been classified as Essential Services during the COVID-19. To facilitate faster clearance, sampling is being allowed at Kochi International Container Trans-shipment Terminal itself rather than at CFS.
Provisional clearance for the consignments of imported crude oils (edible grade) and food grains has been allowed till 30th May, 2020. Provision has been made to receive online applications and fee for review of rejected food import cases.