Food Manifest 
Key Update
The Export Inspection Agency (EIA) in Kochi has launched a modern microbiology lab under the Export Inspection Council (EIC) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The new facility strengthens food safety standards and enhances the quality of Indian exports.
India’s Export Certification Backbone
Nitin Kumar Yadav, Director (EIC) and Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, inaugurated the facility. He said the EIC and its agencies serve as the backbone of India’s export certification system. Yadav stressed that India must continuously upgrade its infrastructure and laboratory capacity to meet global regulatory demands and ensure its products match top international benchmarks. The Kochi lab features cutting-edge technology for microbiological testing of food and feed, focusing on pathogens relevant to exports, imports, and the domestic market. It also runs a training centre to build technical expertise and develop skilled professionals, particularly from Kerala and Karnataka.
Expanding the Laboratory Network
Yadav announced that a new microbiology lab in Mangaluru is nearing completion and that additional facilities are coming up in Ahmedabad and Faridabad. He also highlighted that the European Union recently approved 102 seafood establishments in India for export, including 18 from this region, which will significantly boost seafood exports.
National Recognition for Kochi Lab
Dr. J.S. Reddy, Additional Director of EIC, said the Kochi laboratory has already earned national recognition. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change designated it as the National Referral Laboratory for testing genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The lab also holds authorisation to conduct Proficiency Testing in this specialised area.
