Mumbai, Jun. 27 - The European Union has sought certification from an Indian government trade body and a laboratory on guar gum to eliminate toxin contamination, a senior official said on Friday.
In July and August last year, 16 of EU's 27 member states had toxin-related recalls of food products containing Indian guar gum, used as an additive in foods ranging from yoghurt and soft cheese to bread.
"(For exports) they require an endorsement from Shellac & Forest Products Export Promotion Council (SHEFEXIL), in addition to a toxin-free certificate from Vimta Labs," a joint secretary in the federal trade ministry told Reuters.
Shellac & Forest Products Export Promotion Council is the government trade body that promotes guar gum exports.
"EU also didn't agree on our request to remove non-food grade guar gum from the certification process," he said.
The EU in a report submitted in March, based on an inspection carried out in October 2007, said Indian controls were inadequate to prevent contamination in manufacturing guar gum.
It has also sought a certification from Hyderabad-based Vimta Specialities Lab from every exporter regarding dioxin and pentachlorophenol (PCP) in guar gum.
Vimta is the only EU accredited lab in India.
Food grade guar gum accounted for about 30 percent of a total export of 200,000 tonnes.
India accounts for 80 percent of global guar gum exports.