Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Madurai as a part of Standards Promotion Activity conducted Manak Manthan – Discussion on newly published Indian Standard IS 18678:2024 - DRINKS BASED ON FERMENTED MILK, at Fortune Pandiyan Hotel, Madurai on 6th June 2024. 77 participants attended the meeting which was held in hybrid mode.
The participants represented various stakeholders such as Manufacturers, Industry Associations, FSSAI, Officials from Tamil Nadu Co-operative Milk Producers’ Federation Limited (TNCMPFL-AAVIN) from all the unions located in the state of Tamil Nadu, Representatives from various Laboratories, Students and faculties from Mangayarkarasi College of Arts and Science for Women, Officials from BIS offices and Laboratories.
Fermented milk products have created a growing awareness globally regarding its several nutritional and therapeutic attributes. Therefore, these are popular as a health food in several countries. Several variants of drinks based on fermented milk are available in market, which are popularly known as lassi, chhaach, buttermilk, Shrikhand, etc. This standard has been formulated to assist the manufacturers in the requirements and testing methods for drinks based on fermented milk.
Shri S. D. Dayanand, Senior Director and Head, BIS, Madurai presented the welcome address and explained the program objectives. He enthralled the participants with the discussion on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and its relevance in the Indian Standards. He emphasized that this standard was formulated in line with SDG 2: Zero Hunger - End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture and SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Shri Shaik Mohammed Rafi, Deputy General Manager(P&M), TNCMPFL-AAVIN, Madurai inaugurated the program and presented the inaugural address. Shri Hanumantha Rao, Assistant General Manager(D), TNCMPFL-AAVIN, Madurai presented the Keynote address. He mentioned the various fermented milk products available in the market and informed that BIS has taken up this topic at this right juncture.
Smt. Prem Sajani Patnala, Director, BIS, Madurai presented the overview on BIS Certification, Hallmarking of gold jewellery and features of BIS CARE App and newly published standards.
An in-depth presentation on the salient features of the Indian Standard DRINKS BASED ON FERMENTED MILK, was presented by Smt. Hemalatha P Panicker, Joint Director, BIS, Madurai.
After the presentation a detailed open house discussion was held and several queries regarding the standards were clarified. Queries related to how the new Indian Standard shall support the industry was satisfactorily answered. Participants were also requested to send technical queries/comments pertaining to this Indian Standard by email.
Smt. Hemalatha P Panicker, Joint Director, BIS, Madurai delivered the vote of thanks.