Central Food Technological Research Institute

Advancing Food Science & Technology for a Healthier World since 1950. Located in the historic city of Mysore, India, we are at the forefront of food innovation, safety, and sustainability research.

Latest Achievement

Developed innovative food preservation technology extending shelf life of fruits by 300% without preservatives. Patent filed: IN2023078234.

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About CFTRI

The Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore, is a constituent laboratory of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), established in 1950. With over seven decades of pioneering research, CFTRI has been instrumental in shaping India's food processing industry and enhancing global food security.

Our institute is spread across a 140-acre campus in the heart of Mysore, featuring state-of-the-art laboratories, pilot plants, and testing facilities. We employ over 400 scientific staff and 200 support personnel dedicated to advancing food science.

CFTRI's research focuses on developing sustainable food processing technologies, enhancing nutritional quality, ensuring food safety, and reducing post-harvest losses. We work closely with industry partners, government agencies, and international organizations to translate research into practical solutions.

70+ Years of Excellence
2000+ Technologies Developed
CFTRI Main Campus Building

Our Mission

To generate innovative knowledge and technologies in food science and technology that ensure safe, nutritious, and affordable food for all, while promoting sustainable practices and supporting the food industry.

Our History & Milestones

1950

CFTRI established as the first food research institute in India under the CSIR umbrella. Initial focus on solving post-independence food shortages.

1962

Pioneered the development of baby food formulations to address malnutrition. Established first pilot plant for protein-rich foods.

1978

Launched Food Safety and Standards Division. Developed India's first comprehensive manual on food safety protocols.

1995

International recognition for developing intermediate moisture foods for space programs. Collaboration with ISRO begins.

2010

Designated as WHO Collaborating Centre for Food Safety. Expanded campus with new biotechnology wing.

2023

Launched "Food for Future" initiative focusing on sustainable packaging, alternative proteins, and AI-driven food processing.

Research Focus Areas

Our multidisciplinary research spans across traditional food processing to cutting-edge food biotechnology.

Food Processing & Preservation

Developing innovative thermal and non-thermal processing technologies to extend shelf life while retaining nutritional quality. Research includes high-pressure processing, pulsed electric field, and advanced drying techniques. Current projects focus on reducing energy consumption by 40% in fruit processing.

Ongoing Projects: 12

Food Safety & Quality Control

Advanced analytical methods for detection of contaminants, pathogens, and adulterants. Development of rapid testing kits for on-site food safety assessment. Implementation of blockchain for food traceability. Accredited testing laboratory serving over 500 food businesses annually.

Tests/Year: 50,000+

Food Biotechnology

Enzyme engineering for food applications, fermentation technology, and development of probiotics. Research on alternative proteins including plant-based and cultivated meat. Strain development for enhanced production of food-grade enzymes and bioactive compounds.

Patents: 45

Nutrition & Clinical Studies

Human clinical trials to validate health claims of functional foods. Development of therapeutic foods for management of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and malnutrition. Collaboration with medical institutions across India.

  • Completed 23 clinical trials since 2015
  • 3 products commercially launched
  • Active research on gut microbiome

Sustainable Packaging

Development of biodegradable and edible packaging materials from agricultural waste. Life cycle assessment of food packaging systems. Active and intelligent packaging technologies to monitor food freshness.

  • 5 biodegradable materials developed
  • 40% reduction in plastic use achieved
  • Industry partnerships with 8 major brands

Our Services

CFTRI provides comprehensive technical services to industry, government, and international organizations.

Testing & Analysis

NABL accredited laboratory offering comprehensive food testing services: nutritional analysis, pesticide residues, heavy metals, mycotoxins, microbiological testing, GMO detection, and allergen screening.

Turnaround: 3-7 days

Pilot Plant Facilities

Scale-up services from lab to pilot scale. Facilities include extrusion, spray drying, freeze drying, canning, baking, fermentation, and packaging lines available for industry use with technical support.

Capacity: 10kg-500kg batches

Training & Education

Regular workshops, certificate courses, and customized training programs for food industry professionals. PhD programs in food science and technology through AcSIR. Annual training for 1200+ professionals.

Upcoming: Food Safety Lead Auditor

Consulting & Tech Transfer

Technology licensing, process optimization, plant setup consultancy, regulatory compliance assistance, and market research. Over 800 technologies transferred to Indian industry since 1960.

Success Rate: 94%

Industry Partnership Program

Join our industry consortium for collaborative R&D, early access to technologies, and preferential access to facilities. Current members include Nestlé, Britannia, ITC, Amul, and 85 MSMEs.

Recent Publications & Patents

Contributing to global scientific knowledge through high-impact research publications.

Latest Research Papers

Novel encapsulation of probiotics using electrospinning for enhanced gut colonization

Food Hydrocolloids | Volume 142, September 2023 | DOI: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2023.108789

Dr. A. Sharma, Dr. R. Patel et al. - Demonstrates 80% improvement in probiotic viability.

Machine learning approach for prediction of shelf life of packaged bakery products

Journal of Food Engineering | Volume 345, August 2023 | DOI: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2023.111456

Dr. S. Kumar, Dr. M. Nair et al. - AI model with 92% accuracy in predicting spoilage.

Sustainable extraction of bioactive compounds from mango peel using deep eutectic solvents

Green Chemistry | Volume 25, Issue 15, July 2023 | DOI: 10.1039/d3gc01234f

Dr. P. Desai, Dr. K. Rao et al. - Zero-waste process with 40% higher yield.

Recent Patents

  • Portable food allergen detector IN2023078234
  • Low-cost solar dryer for vegetables IN2023065123
  • Edible coating for fruit preservation IN2023058921
  • Automated spice quality grader IN2023045678
  • Probiotic beverage from millets IN2023034567

Leadership & Key Scientists

Our multidisciplinary team of scientists driving innovation in food technology.

Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Director CFTRI
Dr. Rajesh Kumar

Director

PhD (Food Science), IIT Kharagpur. 30+ years experience in food processing. Former Head of CSIR Food Research Wing.

Dr. Anjali Sharma, Head of Research
Dr. Anjali Sharma

Head of Research

PhD (Food Biotechnology), University of Reading, UK. Specialized in enzyme technology and fermentation.

Dr. Sanjay Patel, Food Safety Division
Dr. Sanjay Patel

Food Safety Division

PhD (Analytical Chemistry), BARC. 25 years in contaminant analysis and food safety systems.

Dr. Meera Nair, Nutrition Sciences
Dr. Meera Nair

Nutrition Sciences

MD (Nutrition), AIIMS. Leads clinical nutrition trials and therapeutic food development.

Our team includes 120 PhD scientists, 85 research fellows, and 150 technical staff across 18 specialized departments.

Join Our Team

Contact Us

Get in touch with us for collaborations, services, or inquiries.

Address

CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute
CFTRI Campus, Cheluvamba Mansion
Mysore - 570020, Karnataka, India

Phone

+91-821-2516501 (Reception)
+91-821-2514832 (Administration)
Fax: +91-821-2517233

Email

General Inquiries: [email protected]
Testing Services: [email protected]
Collaborations: [email protected]

Visiting Hours

Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Sunday & Holidays: Closed

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