In this insightful episode of Jam with Sam, host Sampath Iyengar speaks with Nayan Maskai, founder of Ace Enterprises. With over 25 years of experience in the food and spice industry, Maskai shares his journey from working in his family business to establishing his own consultancy focused on food safety and global standards. Driven by a deep commitment to ethical practices and sustainability, he discusses his approach to training, consultancy, and advocacy for food safety culture within organizations.
A Humble Beginning in Mumbai and the Seeds of Passion
Nayan Maskai’s journey began in a close-knit family in Mumbai. From early on, his experiences taught him the importance of balancing academics with extracurriculars, a philosophy he applies to his career. His family business in spice exports brought hands-on management experience, giving him insight into operations, logistics, and quality control across three factories. Reflecting on his roots, Maskai appreciates how his father’s influence and lessons in resilience shaped his life, underscoring the importance of ethical responsibility in his work.
Founding Ace Enterprises: A Vision of Global Standards
After years in the family spice export business, Maskai launched Ace Enterprises in 2019 with a goal to guide food producers in achieving international food safety standards. With expertise spanning food safety compliance and global third-party accreditations, he addresses quality issues that often go unnoticed in the food industry. Rather than focusing on regulatory compliance alone, Maskai is a staunch advocate for ethical practices in food production, believing that companies must prioritize safety and integrity from the top down.
Customized Training and Food Safety Culture
A unique feature of Ace Enterprises is its commitment to tailored training programs. Maskai emphasizes that a successful food safety program starts at the management level and permeates every layer of staff. By customizing training modules to each client’s needs, Maskai ensures that his guidance resonates with everyone, from grassroots workers to top executives. He believes that “first-time-right” training is essential, as it empowers workers with knowledge they can immediately apply, creating a proactive safety culture that extends beyond compliance.
Sustainability and the Future of Food Safety
Sustainability plays a central role in Maskai’s work philosophy. Reflecting on a project in Guntur, where Ace Enterprises worked with farmers to reduce pesticide use, Maskai describes how sustainability initiatives can transform lives. His commitment to environmentally friendly practices is evident not only in his advocacy for global food safety standards but also in his approach to long-term agricultural impact. He predicts that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations will soon be integral to the food industry and believes businesses must proactively adopt sustainable practices for a resilient future.
Passion for Knowledge and Technological Advancement
Maskai’s thirst for learning has propelled him through advanced studies in digital marketing, compliance, and ESG proficiency. His technical skills allow him to contribute effectively to the digital marketing of Ace Enterprises, spreading awareness about food safety through social media. Known for his quick adaptability to new technology, Maskai is also an advocate for the role of digital platforms in enhancing industry standards. He regularly shares knowledge through Q&A sessions on LinkedIn, helping industry newcomers understand essential food safety concepts.
Balancing Family, Passion, and Professional Integrity
Alongside his demanding professional life, Maskai prioritizes family time. His cherished tradition of annual trips with his son allows him to bond outside the demands of his career. For Maskai, these experiences reaffirm the importance of a balanced life where personal integrity and quality time with family are as valuable as professional achievements. Maskai’s commitment to ethical food production extends to his personal principles—choosing only projects that align with his core values.
Conclusion
This conversation with Nayan Maskai provides a comprehensive view of what it takes to establish a food consultancy based on quality, safety, and ethics. Ace Enterprises is more than a consultancy; it represents a shift toward accountability in the food industry. By instilling a culture of safety, Maskai ensures that food companies uphold values that prioritize consumers’ well-being. Through knowledge-sharing and steadfast adherence to his values, Maskai exemplifies leadership that inspires the food industry to adopt a safer, more sustainable approach to food production.
About Nayan Maskai:
Nayan Maskai is the founder of Ace Enterprises, a consultancy focused on food safety and sustainability. With over two decades in the food and spice industry, he is a certified compliance and ethics professional and an advocate for global food safety standards.