The Business primarily engages in sourcing of agri-commodities like Wheat, Coffee, Potato, Prawns, Soyabean, Pulses, Rice, Maida and Processed Fruits. These commodities are sourced and supplied based on customer requirements of quality, quantity and packaging, both in the Domestic and Export markets. Stringent process control and quality inspection norms have been established to ensure compliance with customer requirements. Systems and processes are in place to ensure the hygiene of the stored stocks. Products are shipped after meticulous testing either in-house, or at accredited labs or agencies, as required by the customers. For organic and sustainable farm practices in the processed fruits business catering to specific customer segments, the Business has received the following international certifications:

• Fairtrade certification endorsing that its products meet certain environmental, labour, and developmental standards.
• Demeter Certification for Biodynamic Farming, a holistic method of agriculture.
• USDA Organic and India Organic Certifications for Organic Farming.
• Bio-Suisse Certification for Organic Farming.

A number of certifications for Prawns such as Best Aquaculture Practices, British Retail Consortium as well as adherence to European, Japanese and US product standards apart from close monitoring of prawn production from ponds to the factory, ensure adherence to the most stringent norms of food safety.

The Business meets its commitment to provide world-class products through product innovation, state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and rigorous quality controls. 67 out of 78 manufacturing locations, including third party manufacturing units, which accounted for 93% of total production volume in 2016-17, are FSSC 22000/ISO 22000/ Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) certified, ensuring that products use the best quality ingredients and utilise the highest quality processes. Remaining 11 units are newly commissioned and certification is planned in the coming financial year. With the objective of continuously providing consumers with products that not only 'Taste Good' but also 'Do Good', large investments have been made in R&D focusing on delivering specific formulations for identified health needs, like lower saturated fat, sodium & sugar, and free from trans fats & cholesterol. Further, none of the snacks products sold by ITC have added trans fat. Through such investments and R&D, a number of healthier products were launched. Some of them are:

'Sunfeast Farmlite' biscuit range is made from Aashirvaad Atta and has 0% Maida. There is no cholesterol, no trans fat and no artificial sweetener which makes it a truly healthy biscuit. Recently launched, 'Sunfeast Farmlite Digestive All Good Biscuit' has additional benefits of no added sugar and a Low Glycemic Index of 37 which makes it suitable for diabetic consumers in the country.

'Aashirvaad Sugar Release Control Atta' has higher protein & fibre content and a Low Glycemic Index.

Sunfeast YiPPee! Atta Noodles using whole wheat as a major ingredient has also been introduced in the market.

Further, based on our continuous efforts in research and development to formulate products enriched with micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals etc., a number of products are also available in the market such as Sunfeast Marie Light, Sunfeast Marie Light Oats, etc.

Product integrity, quality and hygiene standards in tobacco cultivation are accorded the highest importance. Accordingly, awareness among tobacco farmers on the importance of sustainably producing residue-free quality tobacco is constantly reinforced during fieldlevel trainings and seminars in ITC's operating regions. For frequent assessment on product integrity, farm-level and packed-level undesired chemical residue studies are undertaken wherein all leaf samples from farmlands and packed cases of finished products are closely monitored for undesired chemical residues. Several additional measures were implemented across the value chain during the year towards minimisation of Non Tobacco Related Matter.

In the Spices Business, special emphasis was given to food safety and quality for the entire value chain right from farmland to processing and sterilisation. ITC has adopted a holistic approach on 'Integrated Crop Engagement' covering not only pest management and crop management practices to ensure product meeting stringent specifications of US and EU but also profitability of the farmer.

ITC has been a pioneer in manufacturing Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) pulp in India. This ensures that the levels of dioxins and furans in the pulp are less than 1 PPT (Parts Per Trillion). The global migration test is conducted periodically on all food-grade paper and paperboards for compliance with US FDA standards and adherence to prescribed limits for presence of heavy metals. All manufacturing ingredients for applications involving direct/ indirect food contact are procured from reputed suppliers and conform to US FDA and equivalent standards.

The Business ensures that the components of food allergens listed in the EC directive 2003/89/EC and the US FDA Act are not used in any virgin grade boards and papers. All food-grade papers and paperboards are periodically tested for compliance with European Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). The Bollaram Unit and relevant production lines in Bhadrachalam Unit that manufacture food-grade board for direct/ indirect food contact, are 'third party' certified in accordance with BRC/IoP (British Retail Consortium/Institute of Packaging) standards.