Comm Min issues stringent quality inspection in export of fruits and veg

The Dollar Business Bureau

The Ministry of Commerce has issued a notification with regard to stringent quality testing in fruits and vegetable products prior to being exported. 

The notification details the following points. 

1. Fruit and vegetable products shall be subject to quality control or inspection or both prior to export in cases where importing countries require such an export certification;
2. Specifies that the type of quality control or inspection or both with regard to the specific fruit and vegetable products shall be in accordance with the Export of Fruit and Vegetable Products (Quality Control and Inspection) Rules, 2016; 

The notification also lays importance that the seller conforms to the specifications and laws provided by the buyer of that particular country and duly approved by the Indian Central Govt. 

In absence of the specification, the Central Govt shall prohibit the export of  said fruits and vegetable products unless they are accompanied by a certificate of export worthiness issued by the importing agency approved by the Central Govt. 

The stringent quality inspection does not apply to samples of fruits and vegetable products sent by land, sea or air provided the samples do not exceed an FOB of Rs 10,000. 

The Government has specified the items that come under fruit and vegetable product. These are:

1. synthetic beverages, syrups and sherbats
2. vinegar, whether brewed or synthetic
3. pickles
4. dehydrated fruits and vegetables
5. squashes, crushes, cordial, barley water, barrelled juice and ready-to-serve beverage, fruit nectar or any other beverages containing fruit juices or fruit pulp;
6. jams, jellies and marmalades;
7. tomato products, ketchup and sauce;
8. preserved, candied and crystallised fruits and peels;
9. chutneys;
10. canned and bottled fruits, juices and pulp;
11. canned and bottled vegetable;
12. frozen fruits and vegetables;
13. aerated waters containing fruit juice and pulp;
14. fruits cereal, flakes; and
15. Any such other items relating to fruits or vegetables.