Pork on the Platter

India is a country embodying a diverse culture of contrasts and dichotomies, which are rampant in various spheres of our lives

This dichotomy is also evident in India's food & beverage industry. On the one hand the Indian food & beverage industry is experiencing a rising trend of vegetarianism, and on the other hand it is experiencing increase in meat consumption. It sounds confusing but it is true.

With the increasing income levels and changing lifestyles, meat consumption in India is rising. Despite the fact that more than 35 percent of the Indian population is vegetarian, meat consumption in the country is not merely sizeable, it is huge. Chicken is of course, the favourite meat of most Indians. In our country, the consumption of poultry is expected to increase close to ten folds by 2050.

Pork is another of the important meat products, which can be enjoyed by the nonvegetarian and non-Muslim population. With the growing influence of global flavours on the Indian palates, pork's consumption in Indian food service industry is expected to increase in the near future. There are numerous forms of pork products available in the country, consisting of fresh, frozen, cured, smoked, uncooked, and fully cooked. Some pork products are available breaded, seasoned or marinated.

Pork and Health

Pork is rich in nutrients, which translates to the fact that it has a high level of nutrients in proportion to its calorie content. It contains a high level of some of the essential B vitamins, such as B1, B2, B6, B12, Thiamine, Niacin and Riboflavin. It is also rich in other nutrients, such as phosphorous, zinc, potassium, iron and magnesium, which are important to our daily diet. The iron in pork is not only easy to absorb but also facilitates the absorption of iron from bread and vegetables.