FSSAI has asked food safety officials conducting ‘statutory searches or inspections’ to strictly follow the rules laid down under the FSS Act for such actions. The food authority has said that going haywire will hamper the adjudication process.

 

FSSAI was in receipt of several complaints about actions taken against the food businesses where statutory inspections were carried out by the 'technical officers' and on the basis of such inspections various penal provisions as per the FSS Act including sanction for prosecution was enforced.

 

Under Section 38 of the FSS Act, the FSOs are empowered to inspect the premises of the FBOs for taking enforcement action against a defaulting FBO, as per the rules made thereunder.

 

FSSAI has asked the FSOs to carry out such actions in accordance with laid provisions so that the prosecution can be done without fail.

 

"It is advised to strictly adhere to the statutory provisions of the FSS Act and 'diligently' follow the procedure laid down under the Act and rules made thereunder while taking action against the food business operators including carrying searches, inspections and sampling so that the prosecution, adjudication cases are not vitiated due to technical and legal lacunae,'' reads the FSSAI advisory.

 

The Indian Food Authority has also clarified that the products intended for animal feed do not fall under the definition of the food  and the state food officials should ‘desist’ from sampling of such products.  

 

FSSAI issued a clarification in this regard saying, ‘that the products intended for animal feed do not fall under the definition of ‘food’ as defined under the FSS Act. Accordingly, the Commissioners of Food Safety of all states and Central licensing authorities are hereby advised to direct the food safety officials under their jurisdiction to ‘desist’ from sampling of soybean de-oiled cakes or soybean meals intended for use in poultry and animal feed while drawing samples of the products in exercise of powers conferred upon them.’

 

According to the FSSAI, it was brought to its notice that FSOs in certain states were drawing samples of soybean meals, which are specifically intended for use in the poultry and animal feed during inspection of units of soybean processors.

With the country's outbound shipments all set to cross $400 billion this fiscal year, the Commerce Ministry is planning to launch Brand India Campaign to give momentum to exports of both services and products in new markets, an official said.

 

This campaign would serve as an 'umbrella campaign' for promoting goods and services exported by India, the official said.

 

In the initial stage, the campaign would focus on Indian exports in specific sectors such as gems and jewellery, textiles, plantation products (tea, coffee, spices), education, healthcare, pharma, and engineering.

 

It would essentially focus on quality, heritage, technology, value, and innovation.

 

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has recently reviewed the status of Brand India Campaign of India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF).

 

IBEF is a trust established by Department of Commerce with the primary objective of promoting and creating international awareness of the 'Made in India' label in markets overseas and to facilitate dissemination of knowledge of Indian products and services.

 

'The need for such a uniform campaign is necessary because at present, different sectors have been promoted with individual identities in different ways,'the official added.

 

The campaign approach would include focused export-oriented messaging to both buyers and consumers; new potential markets; Indian talent, tradition and modernity; and promotional events through digital channels and international events.

 

An agency will be selected and a Branding Steering Committee will be formed for the purpose besides creation of uniform logo identity, development of branding creatives (films, TVCs, print ads, digital banners).

Jordan's state grains buyer purchased 60,000 tonnes of wheat to be sourced from optional origins in a tender which closed on Wednesday, traders said.

 

The wheat was bought from trading house Agro-Chirnogi at an estimated $326 a tonne c&f for shipment in the first half of August 2022, they said.

 

Traders said two other trading houses participated in the tender, with CHS making an offer at $329.87 a tonne c&f and Ameropa offering $333.90 a tonne c&f, the traders added.

The Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) is planning to see through a technology infusion into the processes of cultivation of the ‘poovan’ variety of banana and manufacture of export-oriented by-products for improving returns to farmers in Tiruchi region.

 

Established by the Union Ministry of Commerce, the FIEO had recently conducted a skill development programme for export of banana from Tiruchi.

 

'The feedback we got from farmers is that the agro-climatic condition in the region best suits the ‘poovan’ variety of banana. But, since it has very poor shelf life, the post-harvest wastage is to the extent of 35%. Hence, our emphasis will be on manufacture of value-added products like banana powder for which there is a huge export market,' K. Unnikrishnan, Deputy Director General - Southern Region, FIEO, Chennai, said..

 

The FIEO had teamed up with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), District Industries Centre, and the Directorate General of Foreign Trade to provide insights into making banana exportable to overseas markets, certification, quality standard requirements, value addition and marketing, to help the producers and FPOs to get better price realisation.

 

Farmers who also interacted with faculty of ICAR - National Research Centre for Banana and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, were sensitised to judicial use of fertilisers.

 

The emphasis in future will be on scientific cultivation, post-harvest handling, processing, and marketing the processed products, including fibres for textiles and handicrafts, to overseas destinations, Mr. Unnikrishnan said.

The top 30 export districts in India exported merchandise valued at more than $120 billion in the first two quarters of the fiscal — April to September 2021 — with petroleum and gem-and-jewellery trade leading the table. And, three districts from Karnataka — Bengaluru, Dakshina Kannada and Ballari — accounted for more than $7.8 billion of this.

 

According to data from the Union ministry of commerce and industry, while Karnataka has three districts in the top 30, Gujarat with eight has the most, followed by seven in Maharashtra and four in Tamil Nadu. The remaining districts are from Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Odisha, Rajasthan, West Bengal and one Union territory — Daman & Nagar Haveli.

 

Separate data from the ministry shows that the value of India’s total exports between April and November 2021 stood at $263 billion. The district-wise break-up for the months of October and November are not available.

 

The eight districts from Gujarat — Jamnagar, Surat, Bharuch, Ahmedabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Dwarka, Vadodara and Valsad — together have exported merchandise worth more than $52 billion. Exports from Mumbai, Mumbai suburban, Pune, Thane, Raigad, Aurangabad and Palghar from Maharashtra together are valued at more than $30 billion. Of the $7.8 billion worth of exports from the three Karnataka districts, Bengaluru ($3.7 billion) accounted for the most, followed by Dakshina Kannada ($2.3 billion) and Ballari ($1.7 billion).

 

The top five products exported from Bengaluru are: engineering goods ($1.1 billion), electronic goods ($900.3 million), textiles ($607.8 million), drugs and pharmaceuticals ($445.9 million) and organic and inorganic chemicals ($208.5 million). Together they account for 87% of all exports in terms of value from Bengaluru.

 

In Dakshina Kannada, the top merchandise are petroleum products, organic and inorganic chemicals, iron ore, marine products and engineering goods, while in Ballari, they are engineering goods, rice, mica, coal and ores, fruits and vegetables and organic and inorganic chemicals.

To harness export potential of honey in line with the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘Sweet Revolution’ through promotion of beekeeping and allied activities, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has been giving thrust on boosting exports through ensuring quality production and market expansion to newer countries.

 

At present, India’s natural honey exports are majorly dependent on one market - the United States, which accounts for more than 80 per cent of the exports.

 

“We are working in close collaboration with the state government, farmers and other stakeholders in the value chain to boost exports to other countries and regions such as the United Kingdom, European Union and South East Asia,” Dr M Angamuthu, Chairman, APEDA said. India is also renegotiating the duty structure imposed by various countries for boosting honey exports.

 

APEDA has been facilitating honey producers in accessing export markets besides availing government assistance under different schemes, quality certification and lab testing.

 

APEDA is working with the exporters to deal with the challenges such as higher freight cost, limited availability of containers in peak honey export season, higher Nuclear Magnetic Resonance test costs and inadequate export incentives.

 

India exported 59,999 metric tonnes (MT) of natural honey worth Rs. 716 crore (US $ 96.77 million) during 2020-21, with the United States taking a major share at 44,881 MT. Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh and Canada were the other top destinations for Indian honey. India started its first organized exports in the year 1996-97.

 

World honey exported in 2020 is 736,266.02 MT. India ranks 8th and 9th in the world in honey producing and exporting countries respectively.

 

The world honey production in 2019 was 1721 thousand metric tonnes. This includes honey from all nectar sources, agricultural plants, wild flowers and forest trees. China, Turkey, Canada, Argentina, Iran and USA are among the major honey-producing countries, accounting for 50% of total world production.

 

North East Region and Maharashtra are the key areas for natural honey production in the country. Around 50% of the honey produced in India is consumed domestically and the rest is exported across the globe. Honey exports have huge potential and especially in the COVID19 pandemic as its consumption has gone up globally as an effective immunity booster and a healthier alternative to sugar.

 

The Government of India approved allocation of Rs 500 crore for the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) for three years (2020-21 to 2022-23). The mission was announced as part of the AtmaNirbhar Bharat initiative in February 2021.

 

NBHM aims for the overall promotion & development of scientific beekeeping in the country to achieve the goal of ‘Sweet Revolution’ which is being implemented through National Bee Board (NBB). There is a budget of Rs.170 crore for the Mini mission. The purpose is for developing beekeeping in the country, developing honey clusters, improving quality and productivity of honey and also increasing exports.

The state’s first flower mandi has been set up at the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) marketing yard, Parwanoo, to facilitate the growers from Solan, Sirmaur, Shimla and Mandi districts.

 

Ten shops, an auction platform, a parking lot for 100 vehicles and civic amenities have been created at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore. Spread across five bigha, the mandi is ideally located on the Kalka-Shimla expressway at Parwanoo.

 

Sanjeev Kashyap, chairman, APMC, Solan, said, 'In a bid to facilitate the floriculturists of the state, a meeting headed by the Chief Minister was held with the floriculturists of the state as well as those engaged in its sale at Gazipur flower mandi in Delhi to chalk out its nitty-gritty earlier this year. It has taken final shape now and set up in the marketing yard of the APMC, Parwanoo, where adequate space is available.'

 

It will be inaugurated on January 6 and will pave way for sale of flowers from Himachal for the first time.

 

The growers have been selling their produce at Ghazipur mandi in Delhi as well as in other markets in North India which is channeled through wholesalers and slew of retailers.

 

The agro-climatic conditions offer apt opportunities for the development of floriculture to serve the internal off season market. The potential for exports, however, is yet to be tapped.

 

Floriculture products like cut flowers, bulbs, seeds, live plants, etc. can be produced as cash crops. Although flowers from different agro climatic zones of the state can be made available all through the year for domestic market, export quality flower produce can be ensured only by cultivation under controlled environment conditions of greenhouses.

 

Growers, however, say that, 'The opening of the floral market is a welcome step but it remains to be seen how the sale would be transacted as it could add another step to the already multi-layered system.'

 

'If the entire sale of flowers, especially carnations, is done through this mandi it could help create monopoly of the state’s produce and help fetch better returns,' observed Kuldeep, a grower from Mahog in Chail which is the hub of floriculture. 

Union Minister for Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Shri Pashupati Kumar Paras and Minister of State, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel and senior officials of NAFED today launched six, One District One Product (ODOP) brands under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme at Panchsheel Bhawan, New Delhi.

 

The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has signed an agreement with NAFED for developing 10 brands of selected ODOPs under the branding and marketing component of the PMFME scheme. Out of these, six brands namely Amrit Phal, Cori Gold, Kashmiri Mantra, Madhu Mantra, Somdana, and Whole Wheat Cookies of Dilli Bakes were launched today.

 

The brand Amrit Phal for amla juice has been exclusively developed under the ODOP concept for Gurugram, Haryana. The product contains pure amla juice and is a natural elixir with added lemon for a unique taste and health benefits. The 500 ml bottle is competitively priced at Rs.120/-.

 

Cori Gold brand has been developed for coriander powder which is the identified ODOP for Kota, Rajasthan. The product has a distinct flavourand brings forth a regional speciality. The 100g pack is competitively priced at Rs.34/-.

 

Brand Kashmiri Mantra brings out the essence of spices from Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The Kashmiri Lal Mirch product has been developed under the ODOP component for spices for Jammu and Kashmir. The product has a distinct flavour and the 100g pack is priced at Rs.75/-.

 

Brand Madhu Mantra has been developed under the ODOP concept for honey from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The multiflora honey has been collected by free-range bees and the 500g glass bottle is competitively pricedat Rs.185/-.

 

Whole wheat cookies, is the second product developed under the brand Dilli Bakes. The brand and the product have been developed under the bakery ODOP concept for Delhi. According to NAFED, the whole wheat cookie is a unique product as it is made with whole wheat, jaggery instead of sugar, and contains butter instead of vanaspati. The 380 gm pack is competitively priced at Rs.175/-.

 

Brand Somdana has been developed under the ODOP concept of milletsfrom Thane, Maharashtra. The ragi flour is a unique product as it is gluten-free, rich in iron, fibre, and calcium. The 500 gm pack is priced at Rs.60/-.

 

According to NAFED, for the benefit of consumers, all the products come in unique and attractive packaging that keeps moisture and sunlight at bay, thus ensuring a longer shelf life of the product and keeping it fresh.

 

Each Product has been developed based on the extensive knowledge and legacy of the marketing expertise of NAFED as well as its capabilities and experience in processing, packaging, supply and logistics. Moreover, each brand will be supported with increased investments in brand communication in relevant markets and a strong push on digitization across the value chain.

 

Through this initiative under the PMFME scheme, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries aims to encourage the micro food processing enterprises (MFPEs) across the country about the vision, efforts, and initiatives of the Government to formalise, upgrade and strengthen them and take them a step closer to Aatmanirbhar Bharat. MFPs are encouraged to come forth and avail branding support under this initiativeincluding use of marketing rights of these brands from NAFED.

 

All the products will be available at NAFED Bazaars, E-commerce platforms, and prominent retail stores across India.

 

About the PMFME Scheme:

 

Launched under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme that aims to enhance the competitiveness of existing individual micro-enterprises in the unorganized segment of the food processing industry and to promote formalization of the sector and provide support to Farmer Producer Organizations, Self Help Groups, and Producers Cooperatives along their entire value chain. With an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25, the scheme envisions to directly assist the 2,00,000 micro food processing units for providing financial, technical, and business support for up-gradation of existing micro food processing enterprises.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday spoke to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and congratulated him on assuming office. In a statement, the Prime Minister Office (PMO) said the two leaders agreed that there was significant synergy in the governance priorities announced by the new German government and India’s own economic vision.

 

'In particular, they expressed the hope to commence new cooperation initiatives in the areas of Climate Action and Green Energy, to enable both countries to achieve their respective climate commitments,' the PMO said.

 

They also reviewed the potential of ongoing cooperation initiatives, including for promoting investment and trade links, and agreed on further diversifying cooperation and exchanges in new areas, it added.

 

In a tweet, Modi said he looked forward to working with Scholz to further strengthen the India-Germany Strategic Partnership and to meet him soon for the sixth Inter-Governmental Consultations. Scholz has taken over from Angela Merkel who remained the chancellor for 16 years.

Thiruvananthapuram: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), a statutory body under the ministry of commerce and industry in association with department of agriculture development & farmer’s welfare, Government Of Kerala, has initiated export promotion drive with a focused approach in all districts of Kerala.

 

The export promotion drive was inaugurated by minister of agriculture, P Prasad here on Wednesday.

 

Export promotion drives in other 13 districts of the state will be organised soon. The minister pointed out that production of safe food is possible only through agriculture with good practices which will also raise the income of the farmers.

 

Department of agriculture has analysed the situation of natural disasters in the state and has come up with appropriate technologies to tackle it. He also pointed out the opportunity and demand of organic certified products in international market. The minister said it is essential to identify products suited to each geographical area of the state and promote their production as well as export. This will result in higher income to farmers leading to the prosperity of the state.

 

He also thanked APEDA for all the efforts made & also expressed interest to associate in further capacity building programmes for raising exports from Kerala.

 

Chairman of APEDA, M Angamuthu spoke about the distinctiveness of products and extraordinary logistics facilities of Kerala being a unique destination located in the extreme southern end of India. He also requested thefarmers/FPOs/exporters to take advantage of the plethora of schemes offered by the government agencies. He also emphasised the importance of sourcing the right product in the right quantity in line with the specific requirements of importing countries to attract more buyers to the state.