Understanding the possibilities, challenges, and opportunities in relationship between IPRs and food technology

The role of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in the context of food innovation and protection is of great importance in both global and Indian scenarios. It highlights the significance of IPRs in encouraging investment in research and development (R&D) within the food industry. This review emphasises the positive impact of IPRs in promoting R&D investment in the Indian food sector that have leveraged IPRs to foster innovation in food processing techniques and establish distinctive brand identities. The review also delves into the challenges and limitations of IPRs in food technology. The protection of traditional foods and cultural heritage is another area where IPRs have limitations, despite the existence of geographical indications (GIs) for certain products. The intersection of IPRs and food safety regulations has been examined distinctively to emphasise the need to balance intellectual property rights with public health concerns. Harmonisation of IPRs and food safety standards, facilitated by international organisations like the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Codex Alimentarius Commission, is seen as a positive step towards ensuring compatibility and coherence between the two regulatory frameworks.