Visakhapatnam: Dr
Mathew T Thomas, director of India office of the
US Food and Drug Administration, on Sunday called for adoption of the best practices in the shrimp industry to minimise the extent of export rejections by the USA.
Major Indian exporters, while agreeing that the
FDA is justified in its regulations, said the government is collaborating with the US regulatory body to boost information sharing. This has not only led to lesser consignment rejections but also a greater awareness amongst Indian exporters, who are now consistently adhering to stricter quality control standards.
Speaking at a technical session of the India International Seafood Trade Fair, Dr
Mathew said the USFDA's India office would welcome any suggestions in this regard.
He also stressed on the significance of self-compliance. He said this is an opportune time for the regulatory body to respond to the Indian government's national vision. India, he noted, is the seventh largest exporter of seafood products to the US.
Meanwhile, a press release said next conference of the India International Seafood Show will be held in Goa in February 2018. A Jayathilak, chairman, Marine Products Export Development Agency (MPEDA), said Goa would host the next edition of the event. The announcement was made during the three-day programme that concluded here on Sunday.