Introduction

The Food Processing & Packaging Technology Conference, held on December 2-3, 2022, at the Expo Center in Karachi, was a landmark event bringing together industry leaders, academics, and regulatory authorities. The conference focused on the evolving landscape of food processing and packaging technologies, with an emphasis on safety, innovation, and sustainable practices. The event provided a platform for discussing critical issues such as pest management in the food industry, the role of halal certification, and the integration of advanced technologies in food and pharmaceutical packaging.

Day 1: December 02, 2022

Inaugural Session

The first day of the conference began with registration and networking, followed by an inaugural session that set the stage for the event. The session opened with the recitation of the Holy Quran, Naat, and the National Anthem, creating a solemn and respectful atmosphere.

Mr. Rana Awais Khan, Chairman of the National Alliance for Safe Food, delivered the welcome note and provided an overview of the conference objectives, emphasizing the importance of food safety and the need for innovation in processing and packaging technologies.

The inaugural session featured remarks from key figures in the industry:

• Prof. Dr. Shaheena, Chairperson of the Department of Food Science at the University of Karachi, highlighted the academic perspective on food technology advancements.
• Prof. Dr. Rafiq Khanani, President of the Infection Control Society of Pakistan, discussed the intersection of food safety and public health.
• Mr. Omer Qasim Omerson, CEO of LQ Foods, shared insights from the industry on the challenges and opportunities in food processing.
• Sheikh Muhammad Rafiq, Director Vigilance at Sindh Food Authority, spoke about the regulatory framework and its impact on ensuring safe and nutritious food.

The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Kaukab Iqbal, Chairman of the Consumer Association of Pakistan, who emphasized the role of consumer advocacy in driving improvements in food safety and packaging standards. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Kamran Saleem, Director of the National Alliance for Safe Food, who expressed gratitude to all participants and organizers.

Panel Discussion: Safe & Nutritious Food Availability to Masses

A panel discussion followed the inaugural session, focusing on the critical issue of ensuring the availability of safe and nutritious food to the masses. The panel, moderated by Mr. Imtiaz Sheikh, President of the Pakistan Agriculture & Horticulture Forum, included:

• Miss Shazia Mateen, Director of Rishad Mateen & Co.
• Dr. Zubala Yasir, Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science & Technology, University of Karachi
• Dr. Naveed Bhutto, Maternal, Child Health & Nutrition Expert, Government of Sindh

The panelists discussed various strategies to address food insecurity, the role of government policies, and the importance of public-private partnerships in ensuring food safety and nutrition for all.

Session on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Food Industry

The afternoon session was dedicated to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the food industry. Mr. Rana Awais Khan initiated the session with a talk on the “Importance of Pest Management in the Food Industry,” highlighting the need for effective pest control to ensure food safety.

This was followed by presentations from experts in the field:

• Mr. Ejaz Hussain Bajwa, Director of Urban Pest Management, discussed the “Dynamics of IPM in the Food Sector,” providing insights into modern pest management techniques.
• Dr. Amjad Sultan, Assistant Professor, Department of Agriculture & Agribusiness Management, University of Karachi, presented on “Sustainable Pest Management,” emphasizing the need for environmentally friendly practices.
• Mr. Zuraiz Ali Shah, Entomologist at Urban Pest Management, provided an “Introduction to Urban & Industrial IPM,” discussing the challenges and solutions in managing pests in urban and industrial settings.
• Dr. Faheem Akbar, Assistant Professor, Department of Agriculture & Agribusiness Management, University of Karachi, concluded the session with a talk on “Integrated Pest Management & Food Safety,” linking pest management practices to overall food safety.

The session ended with an open house Q&A session, allowing participants to engage with the speakers and delve deeper into the topics discussed. Mr. Ejaz Hussain Bajwa closed the session with a vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of the speakers and participants.

Day 2: December 03, 2022

Session on Halal Food & Pharma

The second day of the conference began with a session on Halal Food & Pharma, moderated by Mufti Misbahullah Sabir, Shariah Advisor at Global Halal Services. The session focused on the importance of halal certification in the food and pharmaceutical industries and featured a series of talks from respected scholars and industry experts:

• Mr. Afaq Shamsi, from the Halal Awareness Research Center, opened the session with a discussion on the role of awareness and education in promoting halal standards.
• Molana Naeem Shahid, from Jamia Tul Rasheed Karachi, and Mufti Syed Owais Ali, from Jamia Faizan Ghaziyan, provided religious insights into halal certification requirements.
• Molana Aftab Malik, from JMUIM Pakistan, discussed the challenges faced by the halal industry in maintaining compliance with religious and regulatory standards.

The session also included a detailed presentation by Dr. Mufti Arif Ali Shah, from ICCBS Karachi University, on “Halal Pharmaceuticals: Intro, Needs and Standards Analysis,” which covered the various standards set by the Pakistan Standards (PS), Malaysian Standards (MS), and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). This was followed by remarks from Dr. Feroz Alam, Associate Professor, Department of Food Sciences, Karachi University, and Mr. Shahzaib Ali Sheikh, Director, Sindh Food Authority.

The session concluded with a keynote address by Mr. Kaukab Iqbal, Chairman of the Consumer Association of Pakistan, followed by an open house Q&A session and a vote of thanks by Mufti Misbahullah Sabir.

Session on Food, Pharma & Nutrition

The final session of the conference focused on the interrelation between food, pharma, and nutrition, emphasizing the role of innovation and safety in these industries. Highlights from the session included:

• Dr. Affan Shoaib, Assistant Professor, Department of Biosciences, Salim Habib University, discussed the benefits of “Probiotic Foods: The Path to a Happy Belly,” highlighting the importance of gut health.
• Miss. Asna Burney, Quality Manager at Marriott Hotel Karachi, shared insights from the hospitality industry on maintaining food safety standards.
• Mr. Shahzaib Naqvi, CEO of ChemSafe, and Miss. Samar Abdi, Manager Technical Sales at Cargill Pakistan, discussed the role of technology in ensuring food quality and safety.

A presentation by Dr. Syeda Saddaf Akbar, Dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences at Malir University, on “Food Quality and Safety: A Public Health Concern” emphasized the need for stringent safety measures in the food industry to protect public health.

The session also featured advanced topics in biomedical applications and nanotechnology:

• Prof. Dr. Saud Hashmi, Chairman of the Chemical and Polymer Engineering Department at NEDUET, presented on the “Development of Self-Healing Gels and Nanofibers for Biomedical Applications,” showcasing the potential of these technologies in healthcare.
• Dr. Shoaib Ahmad Bilal, CEO of Party Paint and Ink Industry, concluded with a presentation on “Nanotechnology in Pharma and Food Packaging,” highlighting the cutting-edge innovations in packaging that ensure product safety and extend shelf life.

The session concluded with an open house Q&A session, providing an opportunity for attendees to interact with the speakers. The conference was officially closed with a vote of thanks by Aqsa Fahim Taji from the National Alliance for Safe Food.

Conclusion

The Food Processing & Packaging Technology Conference successfully brought together key stakeholders from the food, pharmaceutical, and packaging industries to discuss critical issues and share knowledge. The conference highlighted the importance of safety, innovation, and sustainability in food processing and packaging, and provided valuable insights into the future of the halal industry and pest management. The event fostered collaboration between industry professionals, academics, and regulators, setting the stage for continued advancements in the food and pharma sectors in Pakistan.