We are approaching season of Winter Fruits like Grapes and Pomegranate. Every season is very important not only for the farmers but also for the exporters of these fruits. One of the major challenges exporters face is Pesticide Residue Analysis.
The presence of pesticide residues in primary and derived agricultural products raises serious health concerns for consumers. The aim of this analysis is to assess the level of pesticide residues in commonly consumed fruits and vegetables.
With the aim to extend some important insights on above subject TUV India initiated a half day Technical seminar on “Addressing challenges in Pesticide Residue analysis in Fruits and Vegetables” on 20th September at Pune Laboratory.
The Seminar began with a warm welcome note from team TUV India and brief address by Mr Tarang Koppal (Vice President, Food Testing Services, TUV India) and Dr Vikas Gupta (Technical Manager, Food Laboratory, TUV India, Pune) to give a run through on TUV India Services along with Food Testing Laboratory Infrastructure and Capabilities.
Dr. Kaushik Banerjee (Principle Scientist ICAR-National Research Centre for Grapes, Pune) graced the occasion as key note speaker and enlightened participants on Recent Developments in Pesticide Residue analysis in Fruits and Vegetables. The session was very well received which resulted into interesting interactions between the participants and Dr Banerjee.
Analysis of Polar pesticides are challenging as it includes broad spectrum of Herbicides-Glyphosate, Glufosinate and its metabolites, Fungicide-Fosetyl Al and its degraded product Phosphonic Acid, Growth regulator for ripening of fruits-Ethephon.
Atulkumar Rajage (Head- Instrumentation Laboratory TUV India, Pune) threw some light on Recent method development on separation of polar pesticides like Phosphonic Acid, Fosetyl- Al ,Ethephon and Glyphosate Glufosinate along with its metabolites.
The session was taken ahead with Trend analysis of detected pesticides in Pomegranate and Grapes for last two years by Dr. Bharat Ugare (In charge Instrumentation GC and Pesticide Residue, TUV India).
To give added advantages of information about Food Safety Certifications and BRCGS Ms Hetal Shah (Regional Food Safety In-Charge, TUV India) gave a brief presentation on Recent Developments in Food Certification.
TUV India team took all the participants for Laboratory visit to show them actual testing and analysis processes. Participants were very delighted with TUV India’s technical strength and state of art infrastructure.
Sonia Nadre, General Manager, TUV India Food Testing Laboratory, Pune extended vote of Thanks to conclude the Seminar.
The Seminar witnessed participation from major Fruits and Vegetables exporters from Pune, Mumbai, Nashik and Satara. All the participants expressed their happiness about the sessions; they also conveyed their willingness to be part of more such seminars in future.
Mr Manish Bhuptani, Managing Director TUV India congratulated TUV India Food Laboratory team on the success of this seminar. He further added that such seminars helps the industry, testing lab and regulatory authority to come together on common platform and discuss the latest development on various important testing requirements, instrumentation and testing methods. TUV India is happy to provide such platform and will continue to play important role to serve the Food Industry.
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