VGFS TECHNOLOGIES PRIVATE LIMITED

In their own words

VGFST is a startup that is looking to explore and undertake a joint research project that looks to address the most pressing matters in Food & Agriculture, which is Food Loss and Waste. Food loss & waste is a global issue, wherein 1/3 of the world’s food is lost or wasted every year (FAO 2019) amounting to 1.3 Billion Tons of wastage costing the globe $2.6 trillion every year. Not to mention the adverse impact on the environment due to this loss and waste. Closer home, our horticultural sector is characterized by low productivity, high cost of production, significant post-harvest losses, lack of cold chains, and inefficient supply chain leading to the waste of about 30-40% of the fruit and vegetable production. 67mn tonnes valued at 92k cr -- enough to feed Bihar for a year 520 million tonnes of food was lost in storage and handling while an estimated 780 million tonnes as lost during handling and processing ~20k cr. Of veg n fruit wasted (75 mn tonnes) We Indians waste as much food as the whole of the United Kingdom consumes Post-harvest losses of some fresh produce are: 29% of banana, 52% of cauliflower, 38% of mango, and 46% of tomato At the environmental impact level, such levels of Food waste consumes; 21% of freshwater 19% of fertilizers 18% of cropland 21% of landfill We are a focused dedicated startup (with experience in Food & Agriculture, at the grassroots level and the end consumer) that is looking to solve this humongous challenge of food waste, one small step at a time. We call ourselves a waste prevention company that follows the circular nature, using waste to prevent waste. The ideal solution would kill the food waste at the source, however, that requires multiple level interventions with multiple stakeholders. Hence in the meantime, we are making use of the current waste to prevent future waste. The next best alternative, till we tackle the problem at its root. We have undertaken this goal with the objective to sustainably keep food from going to waste and bring more of it to families and communities. VGFS Technologies Private Limited has been founded by two serial Entrepreneurs Anurag Dalmia and Mayank Kinger and is based out of Bangalore & Goa giving us strategic access to the Indian market. A brief overview of the R&D project that we jointly want to undertake with you: Every fruit comes with its own natural protective layer which gets eroded in its due course. Given our patchy food supply chain & infrastructure (and harsh climatic conditions), many fruits cannot reach the end consumer and hence get wasted. VGFST plans to develop plant-based edible coatings/skin made from natural ingredients that are environmentally friendly; they are biodegradable, can be directly consumed, and their main ingredients come from renewable sources. This is a clear contrast from synthetic materials, such as paraffin, polyethylene, and plastics that come from a limited supply of fossil fuels. Below are the functionalities which we expect from our skins. Reduction in weight loss and an improvement in fruits’ firmness. Reduction in respiration rates and ethylene production, which delay senescence. Prevention of injuries related to chilling and storage. Reduction of the use of packaging material. Encapsulation of aroma compounds, antioxidants, and pigments that stop browning reactions. Improvement of external appearance by providing an extra shine in the surface of the fruit Edible coatings can protect perishable fresh produce from deterioration by 1. retarding dehydration 2. suppressing respiration 3. improving texture quality 4. helping retain volatile flavor compounds 5. reducing microbial contamination 6. Functional aspect (antioxidant, nutraceutical, flavor, etc) Specific to India the coating needs to meet the following:: 1. extreme heat and cold temperatures 2. patchy storage (cold + normal) 3. handling (manual) 4. higher expiry date 5. ease of transport/storage for the composite solution Few characteristics of the skins Smart multi-functional edible coatings Easy to use, water-based with no solvents or corrosive adaptable to the existing assembly lines Cost-effective, vegan, gluten-free, Kosher, Halal, non-GMO, and organic options We are borrowing from the very same nature with the advancements in science to provide for a better, stronger, and superior natural protective layer that will stay on the fruit for much longer and that will increase shelf life by 2-3x, reduce current wastage by 1/3rd and increase food security.

Written by the company on its public Startup India profile. Not verified by us.