HRAWI & FDA Host Virtual Workshop To Promote Conscious Consumption Of Real Dairy In Hospitality

Mumbai, May 06: The Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI in collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), organized a virtual awareness workshop titled ‘Choosing Real Dairy – A Call for Conscious Consumption in the Hospitality Sector on May 1, 2025. Conducted by Ms Anupamaa Balasaheb Patil, Assistant Commissioner of Food, FDA, Greater Mumbai; the session aimed to educate hoteliers, restaurateurs and food business operators (FBOs) on the growing use of dairy analogues, their implications and the need for regulatory compliance.

Ms. Patil outlined critical aspects of India’s food safety legal framework under the FSS Act, 2006, mandating clear declarations on product ingredients, packaging and menu descriptions. She also highlighted the latest FSSAI directives, which enforce transparency in disclosing whether items contain dairy or analogues and the need for proper allergen labelling.

“With food safety being non-negotiable, it is imperative for hospitality businesses to ensure transparency and authenticity in what they serve. Real dairy products uphold culinary traditions and consumer trust, while non-disclosure of analogues can pose health and legal risks,” says Ms Patil.

The workshop emphasized the distinction between real dairy products and dairy analogues including plant-based or artificially modified substitutes commonly used for cost efficiency and shelf-life benefits. Participants were made aware of the health risks posed by analogues, including high saturated fats, synthetic additives and nutritional deficiencies.

“This workshop marks a turning point for ethical food practices. By choosing real dairy, businesses align with national health goals and preserve culinary traditions,” adds Mr Jimmy Shaw, President, HRAWI.

The seminar called on industry stakeholders to take key actionable steps including sourcing from FSSAI-licensed suppliers and to demand for Certificates of Analysis (CoA). Ms Patil also urged hospitality establishments to update restaurant menus to explicitly declare dairy or analogue usage and educate staff on labelling norms and ingredient identification.

About the Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI

The Hotel And Restaurant Association (Western India) – HRAWI is a 74 years old Association of Hotels and Restaurants in Western India. Its members include Restaurants and Hotels up to 5-Star Deluxe categories. With membership base spread across Western India, HRAWI covers Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and is considered to be the voice of the Hospitality Industry. The association is part of the national body of the Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), located in New Delhi, which was originally founded in Mumbai in 1950 by the late Mr J.R.D. Tata.