Nearly 73 pc of Indian singles prefer packaged meal solutions: ASSOCHAM

Changing lifestyles and eating habits of consumers in urban areas have lead to the sharp rise in the demand of packaged food in the Indian market during the years 2010-2015, according to ASSOCHAM study.
The growth is attributed to rise in income levels, standards of living, greater confidence in packaged food, convenience and influence of western world.
“The current size of Indian packaged food industry is about $30 billion and likely to touch $50 billion by 2017, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 30% annually includes snacks food, ready-to-eat food, healthy and functional food,” the ASSOCHAM report says.
The survey was conducted in major metropolitan cities, including Mumbai, Cochin, Chennai, Delhi and Chandigarh, among others. The survey highlighted that 76 per cent of parents, mostly both working, with children under five years in the big cities are serving these easy-to-prepare meals at least 10-12 times per month due to increased pressures at work and actively looking for ways to simplify and save time.
D S Rawat, Secretary General ASSOCHAM said, “The consumption of packaged food is much higher in the urban areas, especially metros, where life is fast-paced and stressful.”
The survey was released against the backdrop of Nestle’s Maggi noodles controversy, which has resulted in the ban of manufacturing and sale of Noodles in many Indian states. The survey also underscores caution in the quality of packaged/ instant food items.
“Packaged food usually contains high level of salt, thus impacting consumers with high blood pressure issues. Such items are also high on trans-fats, which are worse than saturated fats as they increase bad cholesterol and reduce good cholesterol in the blood,” said Dr. B K Rao, Chairman of ASSOCHAM Health Committee Council.
The survey also points out that about 89.5 per cent of nuclear families feel that they have little time to cook and prepare meals. Nearly 72.6 per cent of bachelors prefer convenience foods because of lower cost, time and energy saving, convenience in preparation and consumption.
The main categories of packaged food are bakery products, canned/dried processed food, frozen processed food, ready-to-eat meals, dairy products, diet snacks, processed meat and health products and drinks, the survey notes.