EU stand on quality of groundnut kernel causes concern among producers,exporters

The Indian Oil Seeds and Produce Export Promotion Council (IOSPEPC) has sounded a warning bell to all concerned parties,including farmers and exporters,and asked them to upgrade and maintain quality as per EU standards.

High content of aflatoxin is believed to be affecting the quality of produce. Moreover,aflatoxin consumption may lead to liver cancer.

“In the last six months,40 rapid alerts for Indian consignments (kernel and its produce including chikki and laddoos) have been posted by EU on its official website,” said Sanjay Shah,the chairman of IOSPEPC (Mumbai).

Shah said rapid alert means EU is not satisfied with the quality and it wants the exporter to take the consignment back.

The importing countries have also drawn the attention of the Indian government to the inferior product quality. Over 5 per cent of the 5 million tonnes of national groundnut kernel produce is exported.

Besides Gujarat,other major contributing states are Tamil Nadu,Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

In the wake of similar complaints received four years ago,guidelines for exporters were issued. IOSPEPC believes everybody needs to be involved in the matter to find out ways to upgrade quality.

“Erratic rains and high moisture conditions can lead to development of aflatoxin. Also,as the product can be affected at any stage,everybody from the farmer to the exporter will have to be extra careful to maintain the standard and export flow,’’ said Shah.

The IOSPEPC has also begun an awareness drive over the issue.

A seminar on pest control and quality maintenance was organised at Rajkot on Sunday. Similar programmes will also be organised in other major groundnut producing states.