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| 'Marine exporters must ensure quality' |
| George Joseph / Kochi Apr 20, 2009, 22:06 IST |
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With seafood importing countries led by Japan and the European Union (EU) tightening quality checks on shrimp imports from India, two Indian marine products exporting bodies — Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) and Export Inspection Council of India (EIC) — are gearing up to ensure the quality of exported products.
Recently, Japan announced about increasing the frequency of quality checks as nearly 30 per cent of the Indian consignments would have to undergo thorough checks by quarantine stations there. This move comes in the light of the detection of pendimethalin (a chemical found beyond acceptable level) by the Japanese Food and Safety Authority (JFSA) in Indian shrimp.
Being the second largest importer, Japan’s action is critical for the Indian marine products export industry.
As part of the action plan, MPEDA will set up nine ELISA screening laboratories in states such as West Bengal, Orissa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. According to MPEDA sources, three laboratories in Contai (West Bengal), Balasore (Orissa) and Nagapattanam (Tamil Nadu) will be set up on a war footing. Another six will follow soon.
MPEDA has already started five laboratories with automatic ELISA testing equipment in Andhra Pradesh and taken over another laboratory in Bhimavaram, set up by the Seafood Exporters Association of India (SEAI).
It has also identified a private laboratory — Sea Lab — for testing antibiotic residues and other contaminations. Most of the laboratories are being set up in Andhra Pradesh which has the largest shrimp aquaculture industry in the country.
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