Organic food products to face mandatory testing

The certification would cover both products as well as producers, according to Ms Shashi Sareen, director, EICI. The procedure would involve tracking the history of the fields, the inputs used by farmers and the inputs used by the processing industries. For example, no farmer can obtain certification for an �organic� products before proving that no chemicals are used in his field for at least three years.

In view of EICI�s reputation in export certification, the project would help exporters of organic foods in a big way. Ms Sareen said the Council�s reputation for standards would make it acceptable to buyers in various parts of the world. Entrusted with the task of testing and certifying key food products, EICI functions under the ministry of commerce & industry.

Ms Sareen told ET that the Council would also set up testing facilities for GM foods which are not accepted in some parts of the world. The testing procedure for GM foods would involve analysing their DNA structure.As of now, exporters have to get marine foods, dairy products, meat, poultry, egg products and honey certified by EICI.

Efforts are now on to enter into bilateral agreements with various countries through regional trading arrangements, Ms Sareen said. Exporters need to conform to the standards of the consuming country and this would also help in improvement in the standard of products available to local consumers.

In the case of food products, standards could turn into non-tariff barriers and exporters need to be alert to the demands of importing countries. Moreover, consumers can demand stringent quality over and above government requirements.Therefore, the commerce & industry monitors the situation closely.

EICI has already tied up with various European countries, the US, Singapore, Australia, Sri Lanka, Japan, South Korea and Turkey for certifying quality of various items. The Council is stepping up its capability now in order to meeting growing demands from the trade.

EICI is now in the process of negotiating with various countries including Mauritius, Thailand and Saudi Arabia for recognition of its certification. Ms Sareen said mutual recognition of certifying agencies in the global norm today in order to share resources and avoid problems related to rejection of shipments.