Oct 31, 2017
Commerce Ministry asks exporters to strictly adhere to food safety norms
The commerce ministry has asked exporters to strictly adhere to sanitary and phyto-sanitary norms, saying that non-compliance could damage the image of the country.
The commerce ministry has asked exporters to strictly adhere to sanitary and phyto-sanitary norms, saying that non-compliance could damage the image of the country.
In a trade notice, the directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) also said that action would be taken against exporters for non-compliance of these rules which pertain to food safety and animal and plant health requirements.
The warning follows a complaint received from the agriculture ministry with regard to non-compliance with global norms.
It said that the Department of Agriculture "has brought to the notice of this directorate about various instances of non-compliance of sanitary/phyto-sanitary measures by Indian exporters while exporting goods".
"Importing countries have been making complaints against Indian exporters, which amounts to disrepute to the image of the country and that can adversely impact the interest of other exporters as well as of the country as a whole," it added.
The action for not following these rules could include monetary fine or suspension and cancellation of trade licence.
Sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures came into force with the establishment of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on January 1, 1995.
It concerns the applications of food safety and animal and plant health regulations. India is a signatory to this agreement, being a member of the Geneva-based WTO.
The DGFT, under the ministry, said that exporters are sensitised to ensure that sanitary and phyto-sanitary laws of importing countries are "strictly" adhered to.
The directorate advised exporters to seek requirement of importing country along with the export order.
"And, while exporting goods, they must provide a certificate(s) from designated agencies along with export documents indicating the observance of the norms mandated by the importing country," the trade notice of the DGFT has said.It has also asked the Department of Revenue to advise the field formations of customs to ensure that exporters adhere to the norms of the importing country.
Mecca of Food Technology in India (CFTRI) announced 5-week ‘Skill Development Program on Baking Technology’
Mysuru: Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) director Rakesh Kumar Sharma said that CFTRI and DFRL are part of the government’s bigger initiative to focus on the need for food safety, nutrition security and sustainability.
Inaugurating the CFTRI Foundation Day celebrations on Friday, Sharma said CFTRI is the mecca of food technology which has contributed to improving the nutritional and health status of the population.
On the occasion, CFTRI announced a five-week ‘Skill development programme on baking technology’ from November 13 to December 15 as part of Skill India Campaign. The institute, which has state-of-the-art baking facilities along with expert faculty to impart quality training, will provide training at affordable rates to encourage participants from rural areas, unorganized small bakery units and lower income group.
Similarly, CFTRI will also conduct entrepreneurship training programmes from November 2 to December 2 in association with Kautilya Entrepreneurship and Management Institute, Jain University, to promote startups in the food processing sector.
The course ‘Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Food and Allied Sectors’ has been designed to address both technologies and entrepreneurship to support ventures in the food processing sector. The first week of the programme will be held in CFTRI and second part at Jain University campus.
MoU with Akshaya Patra
CFTRI signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Akshaya Patra Foundation, where a series of collaborative activities such as developing innovative nutritional adjuncts as supplements under the midday meal scheme, internship programmes, customized training for midday meal workers and enabling a policy framework to implement robust malnutrition intervention by central and state governments will be taken up.
Note: News shared for public awareness with reference from the information provided at online news portals.
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