Indian food processing exporters are adhering to the safety standards set up by European Union countries, said Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Tuesday.
"Food safety standards set up by EU countries, are based on risk assessment and all exporters are mandatorily complying with these standards for export of products which are administered through APEDA," Badal said in a written reply to the lower house of the Parliament.
"Testing of such products is done in APEDA approved laboratories," she said.
The minister added that the sector has been growing at a rate of around 8.6 percent during the last 5 years ending 2012-13.
"During the last 5 years ending 2012-13, FPI sector has been growing at an Average Annual Growth Rate (AAGR) of around 8.6 per cent as compared to 3.8 per cent in Agriculture and 6.6 per cent in Manufacturing," she said.
The food processing sector forms an important segment of the Indian economy in terms of its contribution to GDP, employment and investment and it contributes, she added.
In a developing economy like India, where growth with equity is a primary policy thrust, the optimum development of the food processing sector will contribute significantly in tackling several developmental concerns such as rural poverty, food security, food inflation, improved nutrition, prevention of wastage of food, etc, she said.
"By serving as a bridge between Agriculture and Manufacturing and by dealing with the basic needs of all Indian citizens-the assured supply of healthy and affordable food at all locations in the country, this sector has the potential to be a major driver in IndiaĆ¢€™s growth in the coming years," the minister added.
A network of food testing labs is required to ensure compliance with food standards, she said, adding that there are 151 Food Testing Laboratories under the purview of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for testing food products as per standards prescribed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Rules/Regulation, 2011.
The standards for imported food products are prescribed in Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011 & Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants Toxins and Residues) Regulation, 2011.
Further, FSSAI is in the process of harmonizing the existing Indian Standards with Codex Alimentarius(International Food Standards), the minister said.
Rejection of lots in foreign soil must be looked into by Govt.
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