A Innovative International’s InnoPOP popping machine 

Gujarat-based A Innovative International, a machine manufacturer with over 24 years of industry experience, showcased its latest innovation — InnoPOP, a fully automatic popping machine — at Anuga FoodTec, highlighting its potential to transform the snacking industry.

In an interaction with IndiFoodBev, Ankit Hansaliya, managing director of the company, shared insights into popping technology, its nutritional advantages, and the market potential in India.

According to Hansaliya, global snacking trends are undergoing a shift. Consumers today, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, are far more conscious of what goes into their food. Labels matter, and health takes priority over convenience.

“The newest trend in the snacking industry for the coming decade is minimum processed, rich in fiber, no oil, and high in micronutrients,” he explained.

Popping technology addresses all these demands by offering a method of creating snacks with minimal processing and maximum nutrition retention. “We use normal grains, pulses, millets, and other farm products. Within 7-8 seconds, these are converted into an edible product. Most of the nutritional values remain intact, and the process enhances the bio-absorbability of fibers and micro-elements,” Hansaliya said.

Unlike fried snacks, the popping process requires no oil, which makes the end product significantly healthier. “It’s a very healthy kind of product that this machine can deliver, and since the technology uses minimal heat and cooking stress, the natural goodness is preserved,” he added.

One of the highlights of InnoPOP is its automation. The machine is fully automatic and engineered with ‘best-in-class automation,’ according to Hansaliya. Live demonstrations at the exhibition allowed visitors to witness the transformation of grains into ready-to-eat snacks in real time. “Visitors could really see how quickly this conversion happens, and it was very exciting for them.”

While popping technology has been around in the United States and Europe for several years, the Indian market is beginning to catch up now. Hansaliya believes this delay is no longer a barrier, as the adoption rate in India is accelerating. “Post-Covid, consumers have started reading labels and are more aware of oil content, additives, preservatives, and overall processing. Popped snacks provide a clean-label solution that aligns with this new mindset,” he said.

Major companies are already exploring this avenue. “Big brands such as ITC, Parle, PepsiCo, and Kellanova are either actively working on or have launched products in this category. Outside India, all these multinational companies already have popped snack products in their portfolios. Sooner or later, this will be a staple in India’s snacking scenario,” Hansaliya said.

Highlighting A Innovative’s future plans, Hansaliya emphasized expanding its portfolio of machines and solutions designed around healthy snacking. “We are working on introducing more products in a similar way. Machines that contribute to healthy snacking with new capacities and end-of-line processing. Every show, people will see something new from us,” Hansaliya promised.