Comparatively, the minister of state for food processing industry at the Centre, Mr Chaoba Singh assured that the government would provide adequate safeguards to the domestic processed food industry and ensure proper market access for Indian products under the WTO regime.

Inaugurating the fourth food summit and the 10th AGM of the Confederation of Indian Food Trade and Industry (CIFTI) in the Capital on Thursday, Dr Thakur said that the food industry has yet to address itself seriously to the issue of credibility, that come in the wake of compliance with quality standards and enhanced customer confidence in the domestic products. Recent incidents of serious adulteration in edible oil, leading to cases of dropsy and sale of synthetic milk, has further eroded customer confidence in the processed food sector, not only in the domestic market but also in global market.

He said that WTO has stipulated a wide range of conditions that Indian products has to comply to remain competitive, and gain access to foreign markets. He advised the Indian food processing industry not to resort to cost cutting exercises at quality control levels. Rather, the focus should be on reducing other costs and increasing productivity and optimising economy while paying special attention to quality, which is the single important criterion that can bring credibility to the industry. Dr Thakur, however, admitted that there were changes required in the regulatory framework, which is being worked on in consultation with other concerned departments.