Introduction

The Global Food Technology Conference, held from September 22-23, 2022, at the Expo Center in Lahore, was a pivotal event focused on the future of the food industry. This conference was a part of the 17th International Exhibition of Food & Beverage Processing, Packaging Technologies, and it brought together key stakeholders, including industry experts, academicians, and regulatory authorities, to discuss and share insights on advancements in food science, sustainable food regulations, and the future of the halal food industry.

Day 1: September 22, 2022

Inaugural Session

The first day of the conference began with the arrival and networking of guests, setting the stage for an impactful day of discussions and knowledge sharing. The session started with the recitation of the Holy Quran and the National Anthem, followed by a welcome note by Dr. Hafiz Rehan Nadeem, President of the National Alliance for Safe Food. He emphasized the significance of the event in bringing together diverse voices to shape the future of the food industry.

The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Ali Adam, Chairperson of Global Biz Pvt Ltd Maldives and former Deputy Minister of Islamic Affairs, who provided an international perspective on the role of food technology in global trade and public health.

The session continued with remarks from several distinguished guests:

• Dr. Muhammad Nasir, GM Scientific & Regulatory Affairs, FrieslandCampina Engro Pakistan, highlighted the importance of regulatory compliance in the food industry.
• Mr. Ahmed Shafique, CEO of COTHM Pakistan & Dubai, emphasized the need for professional training and education in food safety.
• Mr. Sajid Ali Chaddhar, Regional Head of Helping Hands Punjab, discussed the role of NGOs in ensuring food security.
• Mr. Rana Awais Khan, CEO of Global Halal Services (Pvt) Ltd, provided insights into the growing demand for halal certification in international markets.

The inaugural session concluded with an address by the Chief Guest, Mr. Shoaib Khan Jadoon, Director General of the Punjab Food Authority, who discussed the government’s role in enforcing food safety standards and the need for industry collaboration. The session ended with concluding remarks by Mr. Motassim Khan, Secretary General of the National Alliance for Safe Food, followed by the distribution of souvenirs by the honorable Chief Guest.

Technical/Scientific Session

The technical/scientific session was centered around the theme “Advances in Food Sciences, Sustainable Food Regulations for the Food Sector.” Moderated by Mr. Awais Ali, Vice President of the National Alliance for Safe Food, this session featured several insightful presentations:

• Dr. Kanza Aziz Awan, Head of the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of Central Punjab Lahore, presented on “Phytoceuticals and their Impact on Dengue Fever,” highlighting the role of plant-based compounds in combating viral diseases.
• Farrukh Ali Ashraf, Vice President of the National Alliance for Safe Food and National Quality and Hygiene Manager at Mf Carrefour Pakistan, discussed “Sustainable Supply Chain in the Retail Sector,” emphasizing the importance of sustainability in food supply chains.
• Muhammad Imran, Manager of Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs at K&N’s Foods Pvt Ltd, presented on “Managing Risk in Global Supply Chain – A Food Safety Prospect,” offering strategies to mitigate risks in international food supply chains.
• Mr. Iftikhar Ali, Assistant Manager QA at Sabirs Poultry Pvt Ltd (Sabroso), discussed “Food Laws and Regulations and Bottleneck in Pakistan,” addressing the challenges faced by the industry in complying with local regulations.

Other speakers in this session covered topics such as food automation, process engineering, advancements in food and nutrition education, and global research trends in food technology. The session concluded with a QA session and refreshments.

Day 2: September 23, 2022

Business Session by Global Halal Services (Pvt) Ltd

The second day focused on the halal industry under the theme “Pakistan Halal Industry; Today & Tomorrow.” Moderated by Dr. Rizwan Tariq and Dr. Muhammad Awais from Punjab University Lahore, this session explored the current status and future prospects of the halal industry in Pakistan.

The session was chaired by Mr. Shoaib Khan Jadoon, Director General of the Punjab Food Authority and Registrar of the Punjab Halal Development Agency, with contributions from co-chairs:

• Mr. Nawaz Dogar, CEO of Abedin International
• Dr. Shinawar Waseem Ali, Punjab University, Lahore
• Dr. Jawad Ahmed, Minhaj University Lahore
• Dr. Kanza Aziz Awan, HOD, Department of Food Science, University of Central Punjab Lahore

Speakers in this session included:

• Mr. Nasib Ahmed Saifee, CEO of Anis Group, who provided insights into the challenges and opportunities in the halal meat sector.
• Mr. Naveed Iqbal, COO of Tazij Meats & Food, who discussed the importance of halal certification in accessing global markets.
• Mr. Qasid Mahmood, from Mashmoom Foods, who shared strategies for integrating halal standards in food production.
• Hafiz Dr. Sajid Anwar, Director at JMUIM Pakistan, and Mr. Zubair Mughal, CEO of the Halal Research Council, who emphasized the role of research and education in promoting the halal industry.
• Mufti Qasim, CEO of Alwaiz Certifications, and Dr. Muhammad Sohaib from UVAS, who discussed Shariah compliance and the importance of religious oversight in halal certification.

Closing Session by PSFST Lahore

The final session of the conference was organized by the Pakistan Society of Food Scientists and Technologists (PSFST) Lahore, under the theme “Pakistan Food Scientists; Role of PSFST.” Moderated by Rana Awais Khan, Secretary Information PSFST, the session was chaired by Mr. Tariq Sarwar Awan, Vice President PSFST Punjab, and co-chaired by Miss. Nighat Jawad, Chairperson PSFST Lahore Chapter, and Mr. Mustajab Ahmad, Vice President Industry & Trade PSFST.

Key guests included:

• Dr. Muhammad Ijaz, Vice President Research & Academia PSFST
• Dr. Muhammad Riaz, Chairman PSFST Multan Chapter
• Dr. Muhammad Nasir, Former Secretary PSFST and Vice Chairman Pakistan Association of Food Industries
• Dr. Shinawar Waseem Ali, Secretary Coordination PSFST
• Dr. Shahid Bashir, Joint Secretary PSFST

The session discussed the critical role of food scientists in advancing the food industry in Pakistan, with a focus on research, innovation, and regulatory harmonization. The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Hafiz Rehan Nadeem, President of the National Alliance for Safe Food.

Conclusion

The Global Food Technology Conference was a significant event that brought together key stakeholders from the food and beverage industry, academia, and regulatory bodies to discuss the future of food technology and halal certification in Pakistan. The event highlighted the importance of sustainable practices, regulatory compliance, and the integration of modern technology in food production and supply chains. The conference served as a platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration, setting the stage for future advancements in the food industry both locally and globally.