Flavour technology came under focus at the National Technology Day 2026 celebrated at CSIR-CFTRI here on Monday on the theme ‘Responsible Innovation for Inclusive Growth’.
Managing Director of CEC Flavours and Fragrances Pvt. Ltd. A. Apparao, who delivered the Technology Day address as the chief guest, observed that industries are increasingly looking for innovative technologies to meet the ever-growing demands of consumers.
Speaking on advancements in the flavour industry, Mr. Apparao said that precision and personalisation are no longer buzzwords but have become realities in the sector.
He noted that flavour technology today can recreate highly complex profiles ranging from mother’s milk to fish eggs. He also highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in decoding complex flavour profiles to ensure the authenticity of raw materials.
Further, he spoke about recent advancements in identifying the ripening stages of mangoes through stripe analysis technologies.
Mr. Apparao also recalled his long association with the CFTRI and said the short-term courses offered by the institute had played a significant role in shaping his professional journey.
Presiding over the programme, CFTRI Director Giridhar Parvatam said technology transfer acts as a transformational process for industries by helping understand and address their requirements effectively.
The CFTRI continues to extend support to industries through sponsored projects and consultancy services, he said, while also appreciating the efforts of the CFTRI teams in developing technologies that have significantly benefited the food industry.
Mr. Parvatam further stressed that R&D works that could not progress beyond certain Technology Readiness Levels should be revisited on priority, as they could open up new dimensions in research and innovation.
Earlier, head of CFTRI’s Technology Transfer and Business Development Aashitosh A. Inamdar briefed the gathering about the significance of National Technology Day and presented an overview of CFTRI’s industry engagements during 2025-26.