The government has made complete preparations to crack down on adulterators. The central government has announced to set up 100 food testing labs across the country. There is also talk of opening 50 food irradiation centres. Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan on Monday said the government will create 100 food testing labs and 50 food irradiation centers as part of its efforts to boost processing levels and ensure quality. The minister asked the industry not to compromise on the quality of products as this affects not only the brand but also the image of the country.
He said the ministry will set up 100 food testing labs to ensure that products meet the standard norms set by regulators. The Minister assured the industry that he will try to resolve any issues and challenges affecting the growth of the food processing sector.
Addressing the seminar of industry body FICCI, Paswan stressed the need to reduce wastage and promote value addition. The minister also called upon the industrialists to make India a global food hub. Paswan said that Indian food products should become popular globally. Indian food standards should be recognized as global standards.
Paswan said that more than 50 food irradiation units will be set up to boost the processing level. During the programme, he said that the Ministry has already invited expressions of interest (EOI) from potential entrepreneurs to set up multi-product food irradiation units. These units will be set up under the Integrated Cold Storage Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure (Cold Chain Scheme), a component of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) with the support of the Ministry.
Under the demand-driven cold chain scheme, financial assistance will be provided to eligible projects in the form of grants-subsidies. Paswan said that the food industry is demanding reduction in GST on some items and he has raised the issue at the right forum.
