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Our Bureau

New Delhi , Nov. 4

THE Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India has asked the Government to set up a food regulatory authority to set standards for different foods and ensure their enforcement.

The proposed authority, which would be the apex body, should be empowered to regulate the entire food sector to ensure that no food adulteration takes place, says the chamber.

In a paper on `Food Safety and Standards Bill - 2005: Implications for Food Safety', submitted to the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, it stressed that the suggested authority should be responsible for creating standards and guidelines on food.

The chamber also stated that the proposed body be made responsible for designing mechanisms and guidelines for accreditation of bodies engaged in the certification of the food business. It must also prescribe procedures and enforce quality control and inspection of commodities intended for export. In addition, it should monitor the procedure for entry and approval of any article of food imported into India.

Terming the standards of food laboratories in India far below international levels, it said they fail to satisfy international agencies on the quality of food items exported from India. This leads to cost and time delays in arriving at an amicable solution. Hence, it is important to build capacity and competencies of food laboratories and certifying agencies in the country, said the chamber.

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