Association of Food Scientists and Technologists-India; AFST(I): AFST(I), established in 1957, is one of the largest professional bodies in the country with its varied membership numbering around 3500. The esteemed members include eminent personalities form Research Institutes, Academia, Industry and Government Organizations. The Association has around 40 chapters spread across the country. It publishes two journals- Journal of Food Science and Technology ( with Springer) and Indian Food Industry – Mag, a bi-monthly. One of the major activities of AFST(I) is to conduct Indian Convention of Food Scientists and Technologists (ICFOST) every year and International Food Convention (IFCoN) once in every five years, which provides an ideal platform for the deliberation and the exchange of knowledge and partnerships between global stake holders. AFST(I) Education & Publication Trust (E&PT): AFST(I) E&PT was formed in 1988 as a sister organization of AFST(I) with its office located at AFST (I) office CSIR-CFTRI Campus, Mysore. The major activities & Objectives of the Trust are to stimulate research on various aspects of Food Science and Technology. The organization has made commendable progress in awarding yearly scholarships to merited students in the field of Food Science and Technology, from the interest accrued on its corpus fund. The Trust also supports assisted scientists with financial grants for writing books and monographs in the field.

One of the fundamental objectives of the Association is to bring together members on a platform along with the experts in the field of food science and technology not only from India but also from abroad, along with the captains of the industries to share the commonalities of the cutting-edge technology in today's changing scenario. The Association organizes the annual conferences ICFOST and it hosts a mega international conference IFCoN once in every five years, which is attended by a large number of scientists, technologists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and students across the globe.

 CSIR−Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI),CSIR-CFTRI: (CFTRI), CSIR-CFTRI: Mysore (A constituent laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi) came into existence during 1950 with the great vision of its founders and a network of inspiring as well as dedicated scientists who had a fascination to pursue in­depth research and development in the areas of food science and technology. CSIR-CFTRI is a pioneering Research and Development Organization working in the area of Food science and Technology and Human Resource Development. The institute is also certified as an ISO 900 I :2008 & ISO 1400 I :2004 Organization apart from being an ISO 17025:2005 Accredited Laboratory. The Mandate of the Institute includes ensuring food and nutritional security of the country through S& T interventions. The Institute has been in the forefront in generating quality human resource for the development of food industry. The spectrum of programs offered include post-graduation in Food Technology, Integrated M.Sc-Ph.D. in Nutrition Biology, Certificate Course in Flour Milling and Short Term Training for Entrepreneurs & Industry personnel and innovative programs for start­ups and farmers. Over 250 students are pursuing their doctoral studies in food and allied subjects. Over the years, CSIR-CFTRI has brought out many innovative products and processes into the market in tune with the state-of-the-art R&D practices of the institute and the changing lifestyles of the consumers. Some of the pioneering efforts include development of infant foods, instant ready-mixes, parboiling of paddy, cultivation of spirulina, health and wellness food products. Societal interventions have been the hallmark of CSIR-CFTRI and large numbers of farmers have been empowered on affordable and sustainable methods for value addition to agri-commodities contributing to rural economy and testing of samples. CSIR-CFTRI has also established an Incubation Centre for nurturing start-ups and innovative ideas in the area of food and nutraceuticals.

The Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL): Defence Food Research Laboratory, Mysore was established in 1961 under the aegis of Defence Research and Development organization (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Govt of India at Mysore, Karnataka . The laboratory has been mandated to cater to the strategic operational requirements of Defence Forces and to provide logistical support in the areas of food supplies and varied food challenges of Army, Navy, Air Force and other Para- military forces. The R&D efforts are aimed at designing and engineering light weight and convenience pack rations for Services which do not require any elaborate cooking or preparation in field level and remain shelf- stable under varying climatic conditions for periods ranging from 6 months to 12 months. DFRL, through the dedicated efforts of its scientists, has been able to conserve, preserve, stabilize, design, fabricate and engineer a vast array of food products of Indian dietary which are not only shelf stable under different extreme environmental conditions but also deliver adequate balanced nutrition and energy to keep the morale of troops at all times. Through substantive contributions, DFRL, has developed a wide variety of food products of Indian dietary matching the mainframe palate/ taste of the country.  Many of the DFRL foods, born out of innovative state -of - the – art technologies, lend themselves eminently suitable to industrial scale commercial exploitation by enterprising entrepr-eneurs of different genre and export as well. DFRL, a pioneer National institute also developed specialized food products with suitable packaging and delivery systems for the proposed Gaganyaan programme. DFRL has also developed biodegradable packaging as well as biodegradable cutlery items as an alternate to conventional plastics.

CSIR-INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TOXICOLOGY RESEARCH [CSIR-IITR], LUCKNOW:  CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (CSIR-IITR), Lucknow, a constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), was established on November 4, 1965. It is the only institute of toxicology in the country contributing towards cutting-edge research and innovation in toxicology with the motto: “Safety to Environment and Health and Service to Industry”.  CSIR-IITR has stronghold in the R&D domains of FEST (Food, Drug & Chemical, Environment and Systems Toxicology), ASSIST (Analytical Sciences & Services, Industrial Support through Technological Solutions) and REACT (Regulatory and Computational Toxicology, Epidemiology and Bio-statistics). While FEST comprises of all basic R&D laboratories, ASSIST has the industry support laboratories including the translation centres and knowledge marketing services. The labs associated with GLP and NABL testing services come under the umbrella of REACT. CSIR-IITR has world class infrastructure and human resources in toxicology and providing one stop solution to address environment and health issues. Around six decades of contributions in the field of toxicology have globally positioned CSIR-IITR in various aspects of toxicology. CSIR-IITR has been at the forefront towards contributing to the research for policy and has provided inputs towards many policy documents, guidelines, and BIS/ISO standards. CSIR-IITR also provides a healthy innovation ecosystem through its “Technology Development and Innovation Centre” supported by BIRAC-BioNEST and DSIR-CRTDH. Scientists constantly interact with the industry to solve their problems through innovative technological solutions.