In a little over two years, nearly 750 consignments of imported food
and agricultural products were stopped at Indian ports and international
airports after they were found to be of unacceptable quality. Nearly 18
per cent of rejected shipments came from countries of the European
Union.
The bulk of the material examined and rejected by Indian
regulators consisted of moong dal, garlic powder, white onion powder,
fruit drinks, chocolates and dietary supplements such as True-Mass, a
protein powder popular with bodybuilders.
Among the other products denied entry are soyabean oil, spices,
additives, fruits, peach syrup, jack cheese (an American semi-hard
cheese) and Haribo Happy-Cola gummy candy.
According to information provided by the Food Safety and
Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in response to a query filed by The
Indian Express under the Right to Information Act, of a total 1,40,534
samples of imported food and agri products examined between March 2011
and June 2013, 746 were stopped — a rejection rate of about 0.5 per
cent.
Consignments began to be examined at the international airports
in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, seaports in Mumbai, Kolkata and
Chennai, and at the Inland Container Depot in Delhi in March 2011
following the enactment of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA),
2006, and the establishment of the FSSAI.
European Union member countries have rejected over 800 Indian
products over the last five years (The Indian Express, May 15, 2013);
however, K Chandramouli, FSSAI chairperson, said the rejection of 134
consignments from EU nations since March 2011 was "not a case of tit
for tat".
"Our action is not prompted by their action against Indian
products. We are supposed to maintain the quality of imported food
products, and we are doing that," Chandramouli said.
According to the FSSAI, the most rejections (448) were at Mumbai,
followed by Chennai (198 rejections), Kolkata (64) and Delhi (36).
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