Food Quality and Standard Act to be enforced this fiscal: Sahai

Mumbai, Dec 22 (UNI) Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Subodh Kant Sahai today said all efforts would be made to implement the Food Quality and Standard Act, which seeks to establish a regulatory body for the food processing industry, by the end of the current fiscal.

Mr Sahai was speaking after inaugurating the annual function and a national seminar on 'Experiences in establishing retail chains for fresh fruits and vegetables and processed food in India' here hosted by the All India Food Processors' Association (AIFPA).

Mr Sahai urged the AIFPA to find out what as to what was the number of organised and unorganised units under this sector.

Expressing his favour for contract farming, Mr Sahai said it would benefit the farmers considerably and stressed that if contract farming is introduced in a big way, it will help reduce the suicide rate by farmers that is troubling various parts of the country including the Vidarbha region in Maharashtra.

The Minister urged the food processing industry to focus attention on capacity building, quality management and strengthening their network.

Mr Sahai also urged the industry to gear up for competition from foreign retail majors. Although the Centre is yet to decide on increasing the cap of 26 per cent FDI to 49 per cent in this sector, the foreign retail majors have already chosen the franchisee route to enter into the country.

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