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The Centre is in the process of finalising the National Food Processing Policy. It has also decided to formulate a draft law on which the views of the State Governments and various stakeholders would be considered. The Minister of Food Processing Industries, Shri Subodh Kant Sahay, said this here today. He was opening a conference of State Ministers in-charge of food processing. Shri Sahay said that India’s agricultural production base is very strong and it is the third largest producer of food items in the world. But our processing remains at a nascent stage. Wastage of food products is voluminous and the value addition is low.
Shri Sahay told the gathering that the Group of Ministers constituted by the UPA Government met in New Delhi on November 1, 2004 to take stock of the constraints affecting the food and food-processing sector. Altogether 13 different laws govern the sector. Multiple laws and regulations prescribed varied standards regarding food additives, contaminants, food colours, preservatives and labelling. The meeting of the Group of Ministers examined the situation to suggest an integrated food law. This would be a single reference point in relation to the regulation of food products. Shri Sahay requested the States to come forward with their views on the proposal when it reaches them. The Minister told the gathering that the Centre proposes to set up State-level task forces with a view to giving a fillip to the food processing industries. There is also a proposal to assist in the setting up of quality laboratories in the four zones of the country, he said.
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