NIFTEM-K hosts AI food-tech challenge with 22 teams from 10 states

Twenty-two teams from 10 states took part in Hack the Fork, a 24-hour challenge on artificial intelligence and food technology hosted at NIFTEM-K in Kundli on 24–25 October 2026, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries said in a release on 25 October. More than 90 participants attended.

The ministry said over 85 teams applied and 25 were shortlisted, with 22 ultimately participating. The event was organised by the France-based non-profit initiative Hack the Fork in collaboration with the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli. Teams presented their solutions to an expert jury when the challenge concluded on 25 October.

The challenge explored AI applications for alternative proteins, including plant-based foods and fermentation, alongside nutritional optimisation, food safety, sustainable production and reducing food waste. These were areas for developing ideas and solutions; the release does not establish that the resulting technologies have undergone independent safety validation or entered commercial production.

The release describes prizes worth ₹1.5 lakh and opportunities to enter NIFTEM-K’s startup incubation programme. It does not name the winning teams or specify awards received by individual teams. Incubation opportunities are not confirmed investment or guaranteed commercial launches.

Source: Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Press Information Bureau, 25 October 2026. Original KROV English report and Telugu adaptation based on the official release.