Introduction

The IFTECH Conference 2024, held on August 09, 2024, at the Expo Center in Karachi, was a highly anticipated event that gathered industry experts, professionals, and scholars from the food and hospitality sectors. The conference focused on the latest innovations in food traceability, advanced food processing techniques, and the importance of international standards and compliance in the food industry. The event served as a platform for sharing knowledge, discussing challenges, and exploring new opportunities in the ever-evolving food industry landscape.

Conference Proceedings

Inaugural Session

The conference began with the reception and arrival of guests, followed by the recitation of the Holy Quran by Mufti Misbahullah Sabir, Shariah Advisor at Global Halal Services (Pvt.) Ltd. Dr. Hafiz Rehan Nadeem, President of the National Alliance for Safe Food, delivered the welcome remarks, emphasizing the significance of the conference in addressing critical issues in the food industry.

The opening speech was delivered by Mr. Kashif Waheed, Head of Business Operations at Pegasus Consultancy (Pvt) Ltd., who highlighted the importance of innovation and safety in food processing and packaging. The session also featured remarks from several Guests of Honor, including:

• Ms. Schazeeya Mateen, Director of Rishad Mateen & Co.
• Sheikh Imtiaz Hussain, Managing Director of Imtiaz Enterprises
• Mr. Qasim Yaqoob Paracha, Acting Chairman of SMAP
• Khawaja Muhammad Nauman, Chief Operating Officer at Control Union Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd.
• Mr. Faisal Mubin Ganatra, Director of Business Development at Siafa International Mfg. KSA
• Ms. Naila Naqvi, Chief Executive Officer at Pie in the Sky

The Chief Guest, Mr. Muzamil Hussain, Director General of Sindh Food Authority, provided insightful remarks on the role of regulatory bodies in ensuring food safety and public health. The inaugural session concluded with the distribution of souvenirs and a group photo with the guests and organizing team.

Technical Sessions

Panel Discussion 1: Food Traceability – Innovative Technologies & Safe Food Supply Chain Management

The first panel discussion, moderated by Mr. Noman Amjad Lutfi, Chief Supply Chain Officer at Ismail Industries, focused on the importance of food traceability and the integration of innovative technologies in ensuring a safe food supply chain. The keynote speaker, Mr. Rizwan Buttar, Chief Innovation Officer at ZAUQ Group, set the tone for the discussion by emphasizing the role of innovation in enhancing traceability and transparency in the food industry.

Panelists included:

• Dr. Omer Muktar Tarar, Head of Food Division at PCSIR Karachi
• Mr. Aarij Iqbal, CEO of Alpha Penta (Pvt) Ltd.
• Dr. Mohammad Naeemullah Naeem, General Manager at Popular Group
• Syed M. Omer, General Manager at Appie Farms/Hilal Nutrition/M.A. Flour Mills
• Mr. Saqib Naeem, Head of Marketing at Shafaq Cooking Oil

The session provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities in food traceability, with panelists sharing their experiences and insights on leveraging technology to ensure the safety and quality of food products from farm to fork.

Panel Discussion 2: Advanced Food Processing Techniques and Role of AI – Safe & Nutritious Food From Farm to Fork

The second panel discussion, moderated by Lt. Cdr. Khurram Shahzad, Food Expert at Pakistan Navy, explored advanced food processing techniques and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in ensuring safe and nutritious food production. Mr. Shahzad Umer Sama, Managing Director at Sama Engineering, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the impact of AI and automation on food processing efficiency and safety.

Panelists included:

• Dr. Zubala Yasir, Assistant Professor at Karachi University
• Dr. Naveed Bhutto, Technical Advisor for Nutrition & Food Fortification, Government of Sindh
• Mr. Shahzaib Abbas Naqvi, CEO & Founder of ChemSafe
• Dr. Jawaad Ahmad, Assistant Professor at NED University
• Mr. Tanveer Shariq, Senior Manager of Production and SCM at Spice Export Mehran Food Industries
• Ms. Meena Iqbal Farooqi, Program Manager at Indus Hospital and Health Network

The discussion emphasized the importance of adopting advanced processing techniques and AI to meet the growing demand for safe, nutritious, and sustainable food products.

Panel Discussion 3: International Standards & Compliances in Food and Hospitality Industry

The final panel discussion of the day, moderated by Neemi Siddiqui, Key Account Manager at Ingredion Incorporated, focused on the critical role of international standards and compliance in the food and hospitality industry. Mubeen A. Durrani, Co-Founder & Director of Skills Valley Institute of Hospitality Management, delivered the keynote address, discussing the importance of adhering to global standards to ensure food safety and quality in a competitive market.

Panelists included:

• Dr. Abeera Moin, Assistant Professor at Karachi University
• Mr. Ammar Ali, Corporate Quality Manager at Unilever
• Ms. Maha Shahid, Head of Research & Development at Mehran Spices and Food Industries
• Ms. Tooba Hashmi, Senior Manager – F&B Retail and Customer Services at Lucky One Mall
• Nawab Sajjad Laghari, Head of Food & Beverage Department at PITHM
• Ms. Areeba Ali, QA Manager at PC Hotel Karachi

The panelists shared their expertise on the challenges of maintaining international standards in food production and hospitality, as well as the benefits of compliance in terms of consumer trust and market expansion.

Closing Session

The conference concluded with a closing session, where final remarks were provided by the key speakers and organizers. The session included a summary of the conference proceedings, recommendations for the industry, and a final vote of thanks by Mr. Awais Khan, Chairman of NAFS Pakistan. The event concluded with the distribution of shields and certificates among the speakers, panelists, and organizing team members.

Conclusion

The IFTECH Conference 2024 successfully brought together key stakeholders from the food and hospitality industries to discuss the latest innovations, challenges, and best practices. The event highlighted the importance of food traceability, advanced processing techniques, and compliance with international standards in ensuring the safety and quality of food products. The conference provided valuable insights and fostered collaboration among industry professionals, setting the stage for continued advancements in the food sector.