After the modalities of testing the exports for the banned antibiotic nitrofuran were modified there is a sharp fall in the rejections of Indian shrimp (scampi) by the European Union (EU). It is reported that there is a cursory examination of the data provided by the EU reveals only one rejection through a notification by the EU Secretariat on January 11.
It is said that European Union has rejected 50 exports last year mainly before the introduction of the revised testing formula in September. Some of the rejections were due to the presence of nitrofuran metabolite. The EU alerts all member countries of the presence of banned substances and sub-standard import consignments mainly through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed.
Sources in the Seafood Exporters Association of India said that the substantial reduction in alerts on Indian seafood was achieved through a two-pronged strategy of revising the testing module and also through better enforcement and compliance by authorities. It is told that the decision of the EU Commission on September 30, 2009 required all crustacean imports from India to be tested for nitrofuran metabolite prior to shipment; and to be accompanied by the test certificate. Those without the certificate would be detained and sampled for nitrofuran metabolite.
