TÜV SÜD’s Bangalore lab offers certification for mango, vegetable exports
TÜV SÜD services in India to help mango exporters conform with global norms
14 May 2014, Pune/Bangalore/Delhi/Ahmedabad/Mumbai: With the recent ban imposed by EU on export of Indian mangoes and vegetables, the government has mandated all fruits and vegetable shipments to be screened through APEDA recognized laboratories. TÜV SÜD’s Bangalore laboratory will now be able to help exporters obtain certificates as prescribed by importing countries as well as APEDA. This will help businesses improve the acceptability of their consignments globally and reduce the risk of rejection. TÜV SÜD is also approved by APEDA for food safety management system certification.
“The temporary ban on Indian mangoes has the potential to impact the growth of the agriculture export sector in India. The months of May and June witness the most number of mango consignments being exported out of the country and we intend to help Indian exporters in every possible way to improve the acceptability of their products globally. We extend the support to pack houses and exporters to comply with the food safety management system practices through our internationally accredited and APEDA approved certification services and state-of-the-art food testing laboratory network.” states Dr. Pankaj Jaiminy, AVP, Food testing Services, TÜV SÜD South Asia.
TÜV SÜD state-of-the-art food testing laboratory in Bangalore has been recognized by the APEDA to carry out chemical and microbiological analysis of products classified as:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables including mangoes
- Processed fruits and vegetables
- Other processed foods
The APEDA initiated the process of recognizing third party laboratories in 2010 with an aim to efficiently cater to the increasing demand for sampling analysis and residue monitoring for exports of APEDA scheduled products.
Some of the tests that will be carried out at this lab include testing of chemical parameters, pesticides and its residues, antibiotics, heavy metals, aflatoxins and microbiological analysis. The lab already has regulatory and statutory approvals from EIC, FSSAI and BIS. Additionally it is recognized as per requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 by NABL.
This recognition by APEDA, will further strengthen the German certification major’s association with food regulators in India. In 2012, TÜV SÜD was authorized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to undertake the inspection/audits of Food Business Operators (FBOs) and issue FSMS certifications on their behalf.
TÜV SÜD has two more laboratories approved by NABL and FSSAI for testing and performing chemical and microbiological analyses in Mumbai and Gurgaon.