FOOD SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN INDIAN SEAFOOD EXPORT INDUSTRY- THE CASE OF KERALA

Indian Fishery trade has expanded considerably in recent decades and this has been an important source of foreign exchange for the country with total earnings of US$ 5.5 billion in 2014-15.In the interests of food safety and consumer protection, increasingly stringent hygiene measures have been adopted at national and international trade levels. Food safety regulations regime has completely restructured the seafood value chain in India. There has been a proliferation of sector oriented standards and Codes of Practices (COPs) incorporating a range of standards relating to all the elements that make up the food management chain. Major constraints faced by the seafood exporters in Kerala to comply with the above standards and code of practices were identified. Addressing food safety concerns and its implementation in India will require the joint efforts by the government and the private sector.