Question

Which is the authorized body to issue the health certificate for seafoods ?

• A. MPEDA
• B. FSSAI
• C. EIA
• D. BIS

Hint:

Always remember that while MPEDA promotes and registers seafood exporters, it is the EIA (Export Inspection Agency) that holds the statutory authority to inspect processing plants and issue official export "Health Certificates."

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Seafood exports are subject to strict sanitary and phytosanitary regulations by importing nations.
To ensure compliance with these international quality standards, the Government of India has designated specific statutory bodies to inspect seafood processing facilities and issue official export health certificates.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the roles of the organizations listed in the options:
- MPEDA (Marine Products Export Development Authority): A promotional body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry established to promote the export of marine products, register exporters, and support aquaculture development, but it does not issue official food health certificates.
- FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India): The apex regulatory body for domestic food safety and standards in India, responsible for licensing and monitoring food businesses within the country.
- BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards): The national standards body of India, responsible for standardizing and certifying product quality across various sectors through the ISI mark.
- EIA (Export Inspection Agency): Operating under the Export Inspection Council (EIC) of India, the EIA is the official, legally authorized government body responsible for quality control and pre-shipment inspection of export commodities.
EIA officials inspect seafood processing plants, verify compliance with hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) systems, and issue the official "Health Certificate" required by regulatory bodies in importing countries (such as the European Union, USA, and Japan).
Therefore, EIA is the authorized body for issuing health certificates for seafood exports.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The Export Inspection Agency (EIA) is the authorized body to issue health certificates for seafood.