Nashik: The All India Wine Producers’ Association (AIWPA) has strongly urged that Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to replicate the norms set by of International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) for manufacturing of wines in India.
The FSSAI has set the ball rolling to implement for the first time new safety standards for wine manufacturing in the country that would come into effect from April next year.
According to some members of AIWPA replicating, the norms set by OIV would be beneficial for the wine manufacturers of India as it would help them in marketing their products overseas.
“The OIV is an international association of 46 wine producing countries across the globe, including India. OIV controls 80% of the wine business at present in the world. If FSSAI replicates the safety standards of OIV, it will increase the trust of Indian wineries in international markets,” opined some association members.
According to the AIWPA insiders the guidelines set by OIV is more than enough for the Indian wine manufacturers not only to enhance the quality of wines but also expand their overseas market at a faster rate.
Currently, there are no standards designed for wine production in India so far. The FSSAI has already prepared a draft of wine standards and invited suggestions and objects.
“The OIV has set its wine standards which are being followed up by these countries. Hence, we want the FSSAI to implement the wine standards as set by OIV. This will help us to reach overseas wine export markets,” Yatin Patil, president of AIWPA, said.
Patil added that the association has requested FSSAI to consider the suggestion of the association on this issue.
Informing about the differences of wine standards between OIV and FSSAI, he said “There are differences between the draft of wine standards by FSSAI and the one set by OIV. The differences are related to wine definition, wine additives and processing aids.”
According to Patil, the wine manufacturers in India would not find it difficult to follow the norms either set by FSSAI or OIV.
“We must have wine standard as per the world standards with focus on consumer safety if we have to increase our wine export. We can’t bring control on wine being imported in the country until we have wine standards and norms,” another office-bearer of the association said.
“Such norms will help us to further enhance the quality of the products. We will also get benefitted from the export market. Moreover, we will also get protected from the sub-standard products coming from abroad,” he added.
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