The Hindu Business Line : Workshop on safe food at Kochi

AS a continuum of its study of enhancing competitiveness of processed food sector in Kerala, CII is organising a workshop on safe food here on February 13.

The objective of the workshop is to disseminate information on the various aspects of food quality and safety with a view to enabling the companies to adopt and facilitate implementation of these best practices, Mr T.R. Raghulal, Vice-Chairman, CII Kerala, said at a press conference here.

While there is awareness on emerging stringent food quality/safety requirements in the developed countries, a large section of food suppliers located in developing countries have little or no exposure to these quality requirements and on the potential negative impact it can have on their acceptability and survival in the event of non compliance, he said.

The workshop will have technical sessions anchored by experts from Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL), Mysore; Central Institute of Fisheries Technology and Safe-to-Serve.

According to Mr Raghulal, CII-Kerala has been proactive in ensuring quality and safety of processed foods. An integral approach from `farm to the fork' is quintessential to ensure safety and quality of processed food.

The industry has been working with such an integral approach such as facilitating policy intervention in development of organic agriculture; analytical study of quality of processed foods in Kerala and creating a road map for enhancing competitiveness of the sector, he said.

He also welcomed the recent steps taken by the State Government in the State Budget giving importance to organic agriculture, integrated farming systems and setting up of modern laboratories.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Sivadas B. Menon, former Chairman of CII-Kerala said that an increasing concern over the safety of food products has been compelling the Indian industry to take a closer look at the quality levels of processed food produced in the country.

Strict quality control throughout the supply chain, proper storage, improved logistics, adequate training for staff in food safety and quality management is the key to enhance competitiveness of the food processing industry.

More Stories on : Events | Kerala | Foods & Food Processing

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page