DSM Fresh Foods Limited (Zappfresh) has announced the appointment of Rajneesh Bhasin as Independent Director, effective April 27, 2026. The appointment comes as the company enters a more structured phase of growth, focusing on scaling operations and building long-term institutional capabilities across its fresh, frozen, and value-added food categories.

Strategic Appointment for Governance Enhancement

The appointment is designed to strengthen board-level oversight and align the company's growth trajectory with enhanced governance and strategic discipline. Through its Meevaa Foods platform, an export-grade frozen food platform specializing in vegetarian offerings, DSM Fresh Foods aims to bring external perspective and governance depth to support expansion initiatives.

Leadership Perspectives on the Appointment

Commenting on his appointment, Rajneesh Bhasin emphasized the company's credible position in the fresh and frozen food space, supported by supply chain capabilities and quality focus. He stated his intention to strengthen governance frameworks, support strategic priorities, and help build institutional capabilities for sustained long-term growth. Bhasin highlighted the importance of ensuring growth remains consistent, disciplined, and backed by strong processes as the company expands across categories and markets.

Deepanshu Manchanda, Managing Director of DSM Fresh Foods, noted that strengthening governance and bringing experienced perspectives at the board level becomes increasingly important as the company enters its next growth phase. He emphasized that Bhasin's deep understanding of consumer businesses, category building, and supply chain management will be valuable for continued scaling efforts.

Strategic Context and Market Positioning

DSM Fresh Foods' entry into ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook segments through Meevaa Foods reflects broader shifts in consumption patterns, particularly across urban markets. The company has strengthened its position through the recent acquisition of a majority stake in Avyom Foodtech Pvt. Ltd., enabling deeper capabilities in:

• Processing and product development
• Distribution network expansion
• Export-certified facilities and processes
• Quality consistency improvements

Growth Focus and Future Direction

With increasing consumer preference for convenience-led formats and organized food brands, the fresh and frozen food categories are witnessing steady growth. Meevaa Foods is focusing on building consistency in product quality, improving supply chain efficiency, and expanding presence across value-added categories in a structured manner.

The appointment of Rajneesh Bhasin is expected to support this growth phase by bringing additional oversight, strengthening execution discipline, and contributing to the company's long-term strategic direction. The move aligns with DSM Fresh Foods' broader vision of building a strong, future-ready food platform while maintaining focus on quality, consistency, and long-term value creation.

DSM Fresh Foods Limited has incorporated a new subsidiary, Varuna Aquatech Private Limited, on April 27, 2026. The company received the Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Central Processing Centre, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, as disclosed to BSE Limited pursuant to Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

The subsidiary has been incorporated with a share capital of 1,00,000 and will operate in the aquaculture, fisheries, and food processing industry. DSM Fresh Foods Limited has acquired 70.96% shareholding in Varuna Aquatech Private Limited through cash consideration amounting to Rs. 70,960. The shares were acquired by subscribing to the Memorandum of Association of the company.

Key Details of the Incorporation

Business Objectives

The subsidiary has been incorporated to carry on aquaculture, fisheries, processing, trading, export, and allied activities, in line with the expansion strategy of DSM Fresh Foods Limited. Varuna Aquatech's main business activities will include pisciculture, aquaculture, mariculture, and allied operations such as breeding, hatching, rearing, farming, culturing, processing, preserving, canning, freezing, storing, transporting, marketing, importing, and exporting fish, prawns, shrimps, crabs, lobsters, mollusks, shellfish, and other aquatic organisms.

The entity will establish, own, operate, manage, lease, or acquire fish farms, hatcheries, ponds, tanks, reservoirs, raceways, cages, recirculatory aquaculture systems, biofloc units, and other aquaculture infrastructure for the cultivation and production of freshwater, brackish water, and marine species. Additionally, the subsidiary will engage in manufacturing and dealing in fish feed, aqua feed, feed supplements, probiotics, medicines, growth promoters, vaccines, water treatment chemicals, aerators, nets, and other equipment used in aquaculture and fisheries.

Additional Operations

Varuna Aquatech will also undertake processing and value addition activities including cleaning, grading, filleting, freezing, packaging, branding, labeling, cold storage, and distribution of fish and fish products for domestic and international markets. The subsidiary will carry on research, development, consultancy, training, and extension services in the field of fisheries, aquaculture, sustainable marine practices, and aquatic resource management. The turnover for the last three years is not applicable as the entity has been newly incorporated on April 27, 2026, and has no prior operational history in India or any other country.

Event Timeline