The Hindu Business Line : Processed foods: `Adherence to safety norms vital'

INDIAN exporters keen to tap markets in Europe or become part of retail chains such as Tesco to sell their farm produce, must comply with EU General Food Law Regulation that insists on traceability of various substances.

Traceability relates to food, feed, animals or other substances intended to be incorporated into a food product, according to Mr Srihari Kotela, Director of Foodcert India, a consultancy on export compliance.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Kotela said that the growth of the processed food industry hinges on adherence to safety norms. He was accompanied by representatives of FoodCert BV, The Netherlands-based specialist in Hygienic Code, Mr Van der Van and Ms Toos Houwers.

Although India is the world's second largest producer of fruits and vegetables, the processed component is only 5-7 per cent against 83 per cent in Malaysia and 72 per cent in Thailand. Indian companies need to develop proper processing, storage and logistics facilities and comply with international standards to tap the export market.

The US had introduced the Public Health Security and Bio-Terrorism Preparedness And Response Act in 2002 to help trace the supply chain of imported food.

"Government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), private sector companies and food safety specialists with the farming community need to work together to set up agri clinics in important agricultural belts in the country. This would provide information and training to farmers on banned chemicals, use of chemicals for specific crops, provision of water, soil, manure analysis reports, calibration of equipment used at the farm level, and training facilities on use of fertilisers," Mr Kotela said.

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