FSSAI has issued a notice specifying the authorisation mechanism for recycled plastics manufacturers as per the draft Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2022, for permitting the use of recycled plastics as food contact materials.

 

Under the ‘mechanism,’ the operator of a recycling plant shall apply and obtain an ‘authorisation’ from the ‘food authority’ by submitting necessary information in the prescribed proforma. And the ‘authorisation’ will allow such manufacturers to recycle plastic as food contact material while the food authority will have the right to inspect the premises, as and when required.

 

According to the approved mechanism, the applicants desirous to manufacture food contact material from recycled material need to submit an application form along with a fee of Rs 2,000 and submit the application to the CEO, FSSAI.

 

An official with the FSSAI said that the applications will be scrutinised and an ‘appropriate’ recommendation would be made for the approval within 30 days of the receipt of the application as specified in the guidelines.

 

The applicants would be issued an authorisation letter similar to the approvals issued under the products/claims approvals, with a general condition that the food authority reserves the right to inspect the record, premises, manufacturing and other related facilities of the applicants prior/post authorisation.

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, to be signed during a virtual summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan on Friday, is a pathbreaking pact which will unleash the economic potential between India and the UAE, Indian Ambassador to the UAE Sunjay Sudhir said on Thursday.

 

The CEPA is likely to boost trade between India and the UAE from USD 60 billion to USD 100 billion in the next five years, Ambassador Sudhir told PTI on the eve of the virtual summit.

 

'It is also expected to result in increased trade in services and mutual investments. CEPA will further deepen our strategic partnership,' he said.

 

According to a statement by the UAE's official news agency WAM, Prime Minister Modi and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Al Nahyan will witness the signing of key bilateral strategic agreements during the summit. 

 

This includes the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (UAE-India CEPA), which will usher in a new era of economic cooperation and unlock greater avenues for trade and investment, it said.

 

The two leaders will discuss a range of regional and global issues of mutual concern, as well as ways to establish stronger strategic bilateral ties under the auspices of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed in 2017, it said.

 

'Launched five months ago, the UAE-India CEPA negotiations proceeded swiftly, leading to a landmark agreement in an unprecedented timeframe. Today, the UAE is India's third largest trade partner and accounts for approximately 40 per cent of its trade with the Arab world,' said the statement.

 

Bilateral non-oil trade is anticipated to rise to USD 100 billion within five years.

 

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), making an announcement on the summit, said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Modi and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Al Nahyan are expected to lay out their vision of the historic and friendly bilateral ties at a time when India is celebrating 75 years of its independence and the UAE marking the 50th anniversary of its foundation.

 

It said that Modi and Al Nahyan, who is also the deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces, will discuss bilateral cooperation and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

 

'A major initiative in bilateral relations is the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Negotiations for CEPA were launched in September 2021 and have been completed. The agreement will take India-UAE economic and commercial engagement to the next level,' the MEA said.

 

The CEPA is likely to include areas like trade, investment, goods and services.

 

The MEA said the UAE is India's third-largest trade partner, and bilateral trade and investment ties are expected to see significant enhancements.

 

'Both sides have collaborated closely during the Covid-19 pandemic in critical areas of healthcare and food security. Bilateral trade, investment and energy relations have remained robust.

 

'The two sides are also strengthening their cooperation in new areas of renewable energy, start-ups, fintech, etc,' the MEA said in a statement.

 

India is participating with one of the largest pavilions in the Dubai Expo 2020.

 

In recent years, bilateral relations between India and the UAE have strengthened in all areas, and both sides have embarked upon a comprehensive strategic partnership, the MEA said.

 

Modi visited the UAE in 2015, 2018 and 2019 while the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi visited India in 2016 and 2017.

 

Ministerial visits between the two sides have also continued, including three visits of the external affairs minister and a visit of the commerce and industry minister to the UAE in 2021.

 

The UAE is also home to over 35 lakh Indians who have been playing a key role in overall cultural and people-to-people ties between the two sides.

India is likely to export at least 80% of its products to the UAE duty-free once the bilateral free trade pact comes into effect.

 

The country would be able to export textiles worth an additional $2 billion in the next two years and treble the plastics exports to the UAE under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which the two sides will sign on Friday, said people aware of the matter.

 

The pact is aimed at increasing bilateral trade to $100 billion in the next five years, from $60 billion now. It is also expected to create more than 500,000 jobs in India's gems and jewellery, textiles, engineering products, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automobiles, leather, sports goods and furniture sectors, as per industry estimates.

 

'Almost all sensitivities have been taken care of. It is a win-win deal for both the sides. Around one lakh jobs are expected to get created in the UAE,' said an official, who did not wish to be identified.

 

India is keen to get duty-free market access for its fresh and frozen bovine meat, cheese, spices, certain organic chemicals and paper products. Sports goods and furniture exports to the UAE could also get zero-duty access while India's plastic exports could rise to $1.3 billion from about $418 million at present. Industry had identified about 1,100 products, including washing machines, ACs, refrigerators, spices, tobacco, cotton fabrics, textiles and leather, whose exports it wanted to increase through the pact. 'We expect exports of plain and studded gems and jewellery to increase to $10 billion by 2023 and double thereafter in the next five years,' said the official.

 

Industry has sought abolition of 5% import duty on the exports of gold, silver and platinum jewellery from India to the UAE, as exports of these goods shrank to $1.18 billion in 2020-21 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In December last year, the UAE lifted a ban on import of eggs and other poultry products from India, conceding a long-standing demand.

 

Negotiations for the CEPA were launched in September 2021, India's first such trade deal in the Gulf region. It is likely to cover areas such as goods, services, rules of origin, digital trade, government procurement and investment.

 

The UAE is India's third largest trade partner. It was India's second-largest export destination after the United States in the previous fiscal, with exports amounting to about $29 billion.

As part of the key theme 'Millets', a millets food festival, launch of a millets book, and various seminars focusing on its health and nutritional benefits will form the core of the 'Food, Agriculture and Livelihood' fortnight at the India Pavilion in EXPO2020 Dubai starting on Thursday.

 

The UN General Assembly has recently adopted the resolution, sponsored by India and supported by more than 70 countries, to declare 2023 as the aInternational Year of Millets'.

 

India's Additional Secretary, Agriculture, Dr Abhilaksh Likhi will inaugurate the 'Food, Agriculture and Livelihood' fortnight at the India Pavilion.

 

At the ongoing EXPO2020 Dubai, India will pitch to become the preferred sourcing partner for the global food processing industry during the fortnight and host various seminars and conferences to deliberate on ways to explore international collaborations and further strengthen its export potential, a release from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare said.

 

The fortnight will showcase India's prowess in sectors such as food processing, horticulture, dairy, fisheries, and organic farming and the vast investment opportunities that it offers.

 

Agriculture, with its allied sectors, is the largest livelihood provider in the country. The sector contributes a significant share of around 21 per cent to the overall GDP. With total exports of agricultural and allied products at $41.25 billion in FY21, India is among the 15 leading exporters of agricultural products in the world.

 

The government has allowed 100 per cent FDI in the marketing of food products and food product e-commerce under the automatic route to harness the untapped potential of this sector. An incentive outlay of Rs 10,900 crore ($1,484 million) for the food processing sector has also been approved under the PLI scheme. In addition, the comprehensive Agriculture Export Policy has been introduced to increase India's agricultural export to $60 billion by 2021-22 and $100 billion in the next few years.

 

'The sector is set to witness increased investment in agricultural infrastructure such as irrigation facilities, warehousing, and cold storage, with global consumption reaching the pre-pandemic level,' the release added.

Jordan's state grain buyer has issued an international tender to buy 120,000 tonnes of milling wheat sourced from optional origins, European traders said on Wednesday.

 

The deadline for submission of price offers is Feb. 23, with shipment sought in a series of possible combinations in 60,000 tonne consignments.

 

Possible shipment combinations are July 16-31, Aug. 1-15, Aug. 16-31 and Sept. 1-15.

 

The tender continues a period of active grain importing by Jordan.

 

The country has also issued a tender for 120,000 tonnes of animal feed barley, closing on Feb. 22.

 

In its last wheat tender on Feb. 1, Jordan's state grains buyer purchased 60,000 tonnes after also seeking offers for 120,000 tonnes.  

The stations under Eastern Railway (ER) will promote the prominent products of nearby areas —be it food or goods — and facilitate a smooth supply chain with the help of railways.

For instance, Jaynagar can be the promotional hub for moa (a sweetmeat delicacy of Bengal), Phulia for tant saree, Krishnagore for clay crafts, Bishnupur for Dokra and terracotta art or Khagra for brass utensils. Malda is also being considered as a hub for promoting mangoes and mango-related products.

 

'The idea is to promote the supply chain of local products with the help of the railways and make each railway station a promotional hub by showcasing the product. This will help in developing more efficient logistics for farmers and local entrepreneurs to promote regional products.

Even tourism can be developed revolving around the product,' ER general manager Arun Arora told TOI. In fact, ER had already floated a tender for Phulia as the hub for the unique textile it produces. The surplus railway land will be leased out for the hub and there will be a seamless supply chain of the finished products.

 

Apart from ER gaining goods traffic, the initiative will give a tremendous boost to the local product and local enterprise, said Arora.

 

To further facilitate this, ER has entered into an understanding to use the post office for booking parcels. The ministry of commerce and industry is putting in place an institutional mechanism to propagate ‘One District One Product’ as a movement with the help of all state governments.

Besides, the budget has provision for 100 mega terminals to promote industries and its supply-chain. Two stations have already been earmarked — Janai Road and Maithon. The terminals will be linked with roadways and riverine routes. Asansol and Bandel will have world class makeover.

India’s sugar exports in the first four months of the sugar season 2021-22 have jumped 242 per cent on robust demand. Shipments during October-January period stood at 31.5 lakh tonnes as compared to 9.2 lakh tonnes in the same period last year, according to the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), the apex trade body.

 

Indian exporters have contracted around 50 lakh tonnes of the sweetener for exports, so far. Further, it is reported that over 8 lakh tonnes of sugar is in pipeline to be exported in February 2022.

 

Further, ISMA said that sugar output till mid February was up 5.6 per cent at 220.91 lakh tonnes, as compared to 209.11 lakh tonnes in the same period last year. Out of 516 sugar mills that had started crushing in 2021-22 sugar season, 13 sugar mills have stopped their crushing operations so far. Last year, 496 sugar mills were in operation, out of which 32 had stopped crushing on the corresponding date last year.

 

In Maharashtra, the sugar production till Feb 15 was 14 per cent more at 86.15 lakh tonnes as compared to 75.46 lakh tonnes in the same period last year. However, in Uttar Pradesh, the sugar production in the current season is trailing last year’s levels. As of mid-Feb, the sugar output in UP was about 9 per cent lower at 59.32 lakh tonnes as compared to 65.13 lakh tonnes in the same period last year.

 

In Karnataka, the sugar output was higher by 15 per cent at 44.85 lakh tonnes till mid-Feb as compared to 39.07 lakh tonnes. Also in Gujarat, the production was higher at 6.91 lakh tonnes (6.55 lakh tonnes in same period last year), while in Tamil Nadu the production has increased to 3.60 lakh tonnes (2.47 lakh tonnes). The remaining States of Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Odisha have collectively produced 20.08 lakh tonnes till mid-Feb.

 

Ethanol requirement, allocation

 

On the ethanol front, ISMA said that out of the requirement of 95 crore litres given by the oil marketing companies (OMCs) in the fourth 4 cycle, about 39 crore litres have been offered by the suppliers. OMCs are currently examining the bids and are expected to do the allocations shortly. However, for the 2021-22 Ethanol supply year, OMCs have already allocated about 385 crore litres of ethanol from different feed stocks.

Zimbabwe has lifted its ban on genetically modified (GM) corn import for the first time in 12 years. The southern African nation has allowed imports of GM corn to avert famine while battling its worst drought in 40 years.

 

While no official announcement has been made, officials claim that Zimbabwe has previously allowed GM corn imports from South Africa, but the grain is carefully quarantined and milled into cornmeal, a national staple. Currently, cornmeal which is used to make the staple food in Zimbabwe known as sadza, is in short supply across the country. Zimbabwe is in the midst of its worst drought and corn harvest is expected to plunge by more than half this season and there is a likely supply deficit of between 800,000 tons and 1 million tons.

 

Jannie de Villiers, chief executive officer at Grain SA said that Zimbabwe only imports non-GM corn not because of food safety concerns, but due to seed safety concerns. 'They do not want to be dependent on seed from multinational companies,' de Villiers added.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will soon come out with fresh regulations for two important everyday consumption items - bread and beer.

 

Beer brands will have to disclose the calorie count per bottle or can while bread makers will be allowed to label products as 'multigrain', 'whole wheat', and 'brown' bread only if the items have specified amount of multigrain or whole wheat in them, FSSAI CEO Arun Singhal said.

 

'With disclosure of calorie count on bottles, consumers can opt for lower calorie beer,' he told ET.

 

At present beer containers mention the alcoholic content by weight.

 

A bread can be labelled whole wheat if it contains at least 75% whole wheat, brown bread if it contains 50% whole wheat, multigrain if it has 20% multigrain, and garlic bread if it has at least 2% garlic in it, Singhal said.

 

Both regulations to be notified in the next two to three months.

 

Last year, the regulator came out with a directive that all liquor bottles will carry cautionary messages of 'Drinking is injurious to health' and 'Don't drink and drive' on their labels, similar to the one on tobacco or cigarette packets.

 

The food authority had in 2018 notified a separate regulation for alcoholic drinks called the Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages Standards) Regulation, 2018 that applies on all distilled alcoholic beverages (brandy, country liquor, gin, rum, vodka and whisky, liqueur or alcoholic cordial), wines and beer.

 

FSSAI has signed memorandums of understandings (MoUs) with several states to strengthen the food safety and security systems.

India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), the nodal body for India’s pulses trade and industry, successfully hosted virtual celebrations on the 4th World Pulses Day on behalf of India conveying a global message of ‘Go Green with Pulse Protein’.

 

The event brought together international audiences for a common goal of creating awareness of the benefits of pulses as well as drive the agenda of increase in consumption. The live event highlighted the role of pulses as the most sustainable crop in the world.

 

IPGA hosted a live webinar on Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 3pm IST onwards with eminent speakers like; Amitabh Kant, CEO, Niti Aayog as chief guest, Dr S K Malhotra - agriculture commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Sunil Kumar Singh, additional managing director, NAFED as key note speakers.

 

Some of the other eminent speakers were Cindy Brown - president, GPC, Greg Cherewyk, president - Pulse Canada, Sachin Khurana, India representative, USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council, Robynne Anderson - president, Emerging Ag Inc., professor Rajiv K Varshney - research programme director, Accelerated Corp Movement, ICRISAT, Varun Deshpande - managing director, The Good Food Institute India, Vastal Lilani – president, Overseas Agro Traders Association Myanmar and Dr Roshani Sanghani - allopathic doctor hormone specialist- Aasaan Health Solution, Sunil Patwari - president, Singapore Pulses Federation and Yogesh Thorat, MD, Maha FPC. Akanksha Ghai (BVeg Foods), Tarak Badkas (Altein Ingredients), Chandni Jafri (Earth Craft Shop) Chirag Sabunani (Supplant Foods) are the panelists for discussion on Smart Protein: A new frontier in pulse innovation. Manisha Gupta, editor- Commodities and Currencies, CNBC 18 was the moderator at the event.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Kothari, said, 'I am convinced that it is time for India to focus on pulses and oilseeds as we did with cereals during Green Revolution. Pulses deserve the similar kind of policy, research and investment support. With the current govt attention, India’s production of pulses has reached a new high of 23-25 mn tons. Most of the dal mill units are too small and do not enjoy scale of economies. The govt. should consider instituting a ‘Dal Mill Modernisation Fund’. To modernise Dal mills. Despite being the world’s largest producer, our per capita availability is low even as per nutritional standards. Hence, it is important that we boost domestic consumption of pulses primarily to fight widespread malnutrition and under-nutrition.'

 

Kant said, 'Food production, food security and climate change are interlinked. Changing climate will continue putting pressure on agriculture ecosystem. Droughts, hurricanes and floods will continue to pose threat to agriculture and in turn food security. Future of food is certainly pulses and they can play a key role in addressing the problem of food security. Pulses are drought-resistant, are affordable sources of protein and also help keep soil healthy. Pulses moreover, have genetic diversity and this paves the way for development of more pulse varieties that are climate-change resilient. Pulses production has increased from 8.4mn tonne in 1961 to 25 million tonne in 2021. This indicates there is lot of untapped potential in pulses cultivation through technological breakthroughs.'

 

Dr Malhotra said, 'Multi-pronged strategy needs to be followed for agriculture production and development, particularly for pulses. In 2015-16, total production was 16.2 million tonne for pulses against a 25million tonne of requirement. Then a roadmap was made to achieve productivity-led growth. This could only be achieved by coming up with new varieties with high yielding in nature with special resilience towards drought and other climatic conditions. This was implemented under the National Food Security Mission Programme by following a cluster-approach as part of which, better quality of seeds were demonstrated and provided to farmers. Mission approach for promotion of pulses helped for large-scale adoption which resulted in high yield. With this programme, we have reduced import-dependence of pulses to an extent that we are now exporting pulses. We have reached to self sufficiency from pulses deficiency. The next year 2023 will be celebrated as International Year for Millets and pre preparations are on. We seek support from all stakeholders for success. My compliments to IPGA for good organization of the World Pulses Day 2022 event.'

 

Singh said, 'Government of India has been taking a slew of initiatives to boost pulse production. If the pulse production reaches 30 million MT, it would be a good way to provide pulses at an affordable price. This cannot be achieved through one part of the value chain alone and therefore, underlines the role from farm level to retail level so that this cheap source of protein is available to the poor to help reduce malnutrition. We at NAFED have been supported by Government of India through fund, policy and infrastructure support. Now, it is our responsibility on how we continue to support them. Lot of work needs to be done to enhance research to meet agriculture and climate challenges which are reducing production level or damaging produce.'

 

Research experts on the other hand, emphasised the potential of agriculture innovation and breakthroughs by coming up with a climate change-resilient variety of pulses. Elaborating on the research conducted on these lines, Varshney said, 'Genomics and breeding innovations are one of the most effective ways of coming up with high-yielding pulse crop varieties. India has come a long way however; improvement of crop is a must. Research should be focussed in the direction of improving qualities such as pest resistance, enhanced productivity, disease resistance, sustainability, environmental stress-resistant and greater nutritional value. It is important to put in research to enhance crop productivity to meet the pulse production targets by 2030.'

 

Thorat said, 'Sustaining production of pulses requires research into field crop varieties that can help climatic changes crop varieties remain resilient. Biofortification of pulses and increasing their productivity from a nutritional point of view is a key challenge. More research in addition to policy support from Government programmes is a must to achieve this. Yet another concern is making these pulse products reach the market. Partnership with farmers and farmer producer organisations and industrial players for primary and secondary processing. Schemes and programmes by incentivising private players will help undertake this.'

 

Deshpande said, 'Protein sourced from animals poses a great challenge from a sustainability standpoint, especially in the wake of climate change. We do need to think about where we’re getting our food, especially protein and diversify the protein supply going away from animals. We may need to produce 50-70% more meat by 2050 – which clearly suggests an increase in meat demand. Finding a smarter protein supply is absolutely important in such a time and in a bid to achieve this, we need to encourage people to consume pulses albeit, giving them a smarter protein solution than pushing for changing their dietary habits radically.'

 

Lilani said, "On this 4th World Pulses Day, we at OATA Myanmar send our best wishes to all in the pulse industry. We look forward to seeing a happy mix of import volumes and reasonable rates supported with stable and long-term trade policies through the course of this year which shall go a long way in the furtherance of plantings and trade between the two countries."