Promotion of Total Quality Management in Food Processing Sector

Total Quality Management is essential in Food Processing Industry (FPI) to compete in the world market and to avoid being swamped by imported food items.

Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MFPI) has been working in association with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and other concerned Ministries / Departments to facilitate the food processing sector in the country so as to enable them to produce world class processed food items to meet the world market standards. To achieve this, MFPI has been implementing various schemes for promotion and development of food processing industries in the country.

Government has set up Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare as per the provisions of Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006 for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import.

Ministry of Food Processing Industries under its Plan Scheme for Quality Assurance, Codex Standards, Research & Development and Promotional Activities provides financial assistance for implementation of Total Quality Management System in the country.

In addition, MFPI also provides financial assistance for setting up/ up-gradation of food testing / quality control laboratories to various stakeholders.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Dr. Charan Das Mahant in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.