NIFTEM‑K Organizes India's First AI × Food Tech Hackathon, “Hack the Fork”

The National Institute of Food Technology and Management (NIFTEM‑K) organized its first AI‑Food Tech hackathon “Hack the Fork” this year, marking a significant milestone for the sector in India. The event aimed to leverage artificial intelligence and data science to address challenges in the food industry, improving food safety, supply‑chain management, and nutrition optimization. More than 250 participants from universities, start‑ups, and industry experts took part, confronting three main challenges: reducing food waste, automated quality control, and personalized nutrition recommendations.

Participants formed teams to develop prototypes and concept models, which were evaluated by a panel of regional experts. The winning team received a one‑year mentorship program and a grant of 5 lakh rupees, enabling the first step toward commercializing their solution. The head of NIFTEM‑K said, “Hack the Fork demonstrated how the convergence of AI and food science can establish new standards for food safety and sustainability.”

The program not only encouraged innovative ideas but also strengthened collaboration between research and entrepreneurship in the food technology field. NIFTEM‑K plans to make it an annual event in the future.