*Ready-To-Cook Idlis, Vegetarian Sausages Lead India's Frozen Food Revolution*
BANGALORE, INDIA, September 12, 2011 (India Times): When a Canadian frozen foods company test markets three-minute microwaveable idlis in India, you sit up and take notice. The $6.5-billion McCain Foods, which claims to make one of every three french fries in the world, has not limited itself to hash browns and potato wedges. Its Indian arm is adapting to the local palate with chilli-garlic pops and tandoori nuggets. Besides idlis, that is. "We have short-circuited the idli-making process," says McCain Foods India MD KS Narayanan. Idli is among the top three breakfast dishes in India along with parathas and dosas. Another frozen foods multinational, Fry's Group Foods of South Africa, enjoys rising demand for its vegetarian alternatives that resemble the flavor, texture and appearance of meat products such as sausages. It's in joint venture talks with a large Indian firm keen to enter the frozen food market. Frozen foods-a taboo in the country not so long ago-now overflow refrigerator freezer compartments in several Indian households as more working women, young professionals living alone and greater exposure to western food patterns make Indian consumers to go for food fried, baked or toasted straight from the freezer. -- With best wishes S Chander
