GM Foods – Final Nod with Centre Though Some States Give NOC for Trials
Maharashtra Government has given the nod for ‘confined field trials’ of some genetically modified (GM) crops. The state Government gave an NOC because that is the requirement of the Genetic Engineering Advisory Committee and environment and forest ministers as they require the NOC to complete the approvals in case trials go well. Earlier Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Andhra Pradesh had given NOCs for field trials of some biotech crops. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have however, banned trials for such research work.
Field trials will be carried out on five GM crops brinjal, maize, rice, chickpea and cotton which has been allowed based on recommendations after their individual crop patterns were studied by a committee. However, whether the GM foods will be allowed to be sold in the market will all depend on the Central Government which will say yes or no based on the results of the trials and considerations of additional benefits.
Mad Over Donuts Reveals Strategy for Coming Year
Mad Over Donuts is a foodservice chain that is not only planning to open more outlets but will also be incorporating changes into their menu. They have already included beverages and convenience foods and are thinking of adding some more flavours to their range of doughnuts and are planning more options in their menu.
The Food chain currently operates over 50 stores across India. However, the new expansion plan is likely to target cities like Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad and Chandigarh. Presently the format of their outlets includes standalone restaurants, airport kiosks and outlets in Mall Food Courts. They are now looking to open café’s in high streets and other key locations including in more Malls.
Growth Gives Impetus to Chili’s Grill & Bar’s to Open New Outlets
Chili’s Grill & Bar, the American casual dining restaurant has 10 outlets in India mainly in the west and north. With a growth of 40% the chain is looking to expand their outlets in south and west India. On their radar are more locations in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai and some in new locations like Goa, Chennai and Kochi. In India the most popular foods on their menu are appetizers, soups and chili, salads, burgers, sandwiches, quesadillas, chicken and seafood entrees, fajitas, ribs, steaks and desserts.
They opened their first restaurant in India in 2009 at Powai, Mumbai but they have over 1500 restaurants in 33 countries in all the major regions of the world. The new stores in India will each require an investment of US$ one million.
Godrej Tyson Foods Ltd. to Offer Non – Vegetarian Breakfast Foods
Godrej Tyson Foods Ltd. is expanding into the breakfast segment and will offer a variety of sausages and salami cold cuts. Cold cuts consist of meats that can be sliced and eaten cold. They are mainly targeting the ‘in a hurry office – goers’ and the customers who are always on the move. They are likely to fill a segment of the market that is looking for foods rich in protein that is affordable too.
Godrej Tyson Foods Ltd’s ISO 22000:2005 and HACCP certified processing plants in Mumbai and Bengaluru produce Real Good Chicken in the raw frozen chicken segment and ready to cook processed vegetarian and non-vegetarian products under the ‘Yummiez’ brand. With these brands Godrej Tyson already dominates the frozen food market but is looking to expand into 100 more cities through its well networked distribution system. They also plan to invest in cold chain infrastructure so that they can bring their safe, protein rich, nutritional foods to Tier II and III cities at affordable prices.
Start-up YuMist Offers A New Concept in Home Food Delivery
With a venture capital of Rs.6.2crores raised from Orios Venture Partners, start-up YuMist is hoping to confiscate the huge space it sees in the home delivered daily meal segment. The company is founded by Alok Jain, a tech entrepreneur & ex-CMO at Zomato and Abhimanyu Maheshwari an experienced F&B entrepreneur. The unique concept follows a two step process. In the first step the customer orders on demand food via an Android Mobile App. The company then delivers hot, tasty and homely meals within a maximum time of 30 minutes.
The start-up plans to cover all of Gurgaon and the National Capital Region by the end of 2015 and if all goes well will enter other Metros in 2016. YuMist has combined technology with food ordering and delivering. It is targeting the office goers as these are the customers who face the most difficulties in getting healthy, safe and low priced food on a daily basis. As compared to other similar models YuMist offers quality and on their menu are meals like Rajma Chawal, Chicken Chawal, Aloo Parathe, etc which is likely to solve the challenges faced by young, away from home office goers, working in Metros.
McDonald’s in the Slump
McDonald’s Corp. has not shown any growth in America since 2013 even though it is America’s largest burger chain and has more than 14, 200 outlets in the USA. In 2014 US sales fell by as much as 2.1% which is its biggest drop since 2001. That’s why the CEO Don Thompson has been replaced by Steve Easterbrook. The shake-up will also see CFO Pete Bensen taking up the newly created post of chief administrative officer.
The company has lost its grip on food tastes as they failed to anticipate the changing food trends as the new generation prefers healthier and varied foods and not a burger that can be termed ‘one-size-fits all’ variety. To get back their customers McDonald’s did try ‘Create Your Taste’ menu which offered the option of building your own burger but the experiment is still in the trial stage. Meanwhile the young generation has shifted to Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. Moreover, McDonald’s no longer remains the ‘low-cost’ leader as Burger King offers cheaper deals now.
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