India's import trade survives scare

Market access threat over residue levels eases as All India Fresh Fruit Importers’ Association engages with FSSAI 

India’s fresh produce import trade appears to have survived a major scare, after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) started paying closer attention to declarations of post-harvest treatment on fruit with chemicals not registered in India. 

Chemicals under the microscope included the commonly used fungicide thiabendazole (TBZ), prompting fears amongst suppliers and importers that citrus and apple imports might be brought to a standstill. 

The matter caused a high degree of tension and confusion amongst the trade as India historically does not defer to the maximum residual levels (MRLs) outlined by the UN’s body for food safety standards, the Codex Alimentarius Commission. Some industry stakeholders expressed fears it could take months or years for India to establish workable MRLs or accept Codex harmonisation. 

Last week, FSSAI had taken a hardline approach and rejected some loads of Egyptian citrus because TBZ was listed on thecartons of fruit. They also held off on taking samples of shipments of apples from the US while they analysed the situation and formulated an appropriate policy. 

Asiafruit understands the severity of the threat led some suppliers to discuss options for diverting fruit to other markets with their customers. 

Some form of resolution appears to have been reached, after the All India Fresh Fruit Importers’ Association (AIFFIA) engaged the FSSAI on this issue late last week. According to an official internal FSSAI document obtained by Asiafruit, the regulatory body has provisionally agreed to resume taking samples for testing with additional chemicals on the list. Also, the body has decided to recognise Codex’s MRL standards where Indian MRLs are not established. 

In cases were there is no Indian or Codex MRL the importer can submit a safety risk assessment to FSSAI which may be referred to a scientific panel with a view to potentially establishing an MRL.