Have you ever wondered why some countries can easily sell their food products worldwide while others struggle? What makes international buyers trust food from one country over another? The answer lies in something called global food safety standards. For India, a country that exported food worth USD 49.4 billion in 2024-25, understanding and meeting these standards is more crucial than ever.
Food Safety Certification has emerged as the Indian food industry's passport to trade in international markets. Just as you require a visa to go abroad, food items require proper certification to be introduced and marketed in overseas markets. Let us know how these global standards are revolutionizing India's trade with the rest of the world.
What are Global Food Safety Standards?
Imagine global food safety standards as a set of guidelines that everyone commits to following. The rules ensure that the food we consume is clean, safe, and healthy. Such guidelines are developed by International Standards for organizations, which the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization manage. Nations across the globe adhere to these guidelines to safeguard their populations.
For Indian exporters, this implies that their food products should be of the same quality that importers in America, Europe, or any other nation expect. It's not about producing good food anymore. It's about demonstrating that your food is safe through proper testing, documentation, and certification.
Why Indian Exports Need These Standards?
India is a large food exporter. India exports rice, spices, tea, marine products, buffalo meat, and numerous other food products to nations around the globe. Processed foods accounted for 20.4% of India's agricultural exports in 2024-25, a significant increase from 13.7% in 2014-15. The rise is astounding but comes with a price.
Foreign consumers are incredibly cautious about what they purchase. They need assurance that the food quality is top-notch and that it was produced, processed, and packaged in sanitary conditions. This is where Food Safety Certification comes in. Without proper certificates, Indian products cannot be allowed into most foreign countries.
How India Is Responding
The silver lining is that India is taking the challenge seriously. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, or FSSAI for short, is now a global leader in food safety. In fact, FSSAI has formulated 14 international standards, which have been accepted worldwide. This is a very significant achievement for India.
The Indian government also initiated various programs to assist food processors in modernizing their plants. The programs provide funding and support to companies so they can compete globally. The objective is straightforward: produce world-class Indian food products.
Training sessions are ongoing in different parts of the country. Food business operators are acquiring knowledge in hygiene, quality control, and documentation. They realize that Food Safety Certification is not paperwork, but a commitment to excellence.
The Impact on Various Food Sectors
Let us see the impact on various food sectors:
Rice and Grains
With a global share of over 40%, India continued to be the world's largest rice exporter in FY 2024–2025, exporting 19.86 million tonnes of rice valued at over US$12.4 billion. However, to sustain this growth, exporters must ensure their rice is contamination-free and properly stored.
Marine Products
The USA and China are big consumers of Indian seafood. These nations are very particular about how fish and shrimp are caught, processed, and frozen. Indian exporters spend heavily on cold storage and processing facilities to comply with these requirements.
Spices
Indian spices are renowned worldwide. Yet, several nations previously turned away Indian spice shipments because they were contaminated. Today, spice exporters are using advanced cleaning and testing equipment to ensure their goods are safe.
Processed Foods
In India, the processed food industry is one of the fastest-moving sectors, fuelled by urban lifestyles, rising disposable incomes, and changing consumption patterns. Given the multi-stage processes involved in processing, strict hygiene and contamination control, including quality assurance, become critically important to meet domestic and export standards.
The following are major commodity groups driving India's processed food exports:
Cereals and Grains: Leading the sector with an export value of approximately USD 10.99 billion.
Meat and marine products: Having combined, these are at approximately USD 9.95 billion, indicating global demand.
Spices, Condiments, and Herbal Products: Exported worth nearly USD 4.74 billion, driven by India’s dominance in spice production.
Processed Fruits and Vegetables: These contribute about USD 1.16 billion, including products like fruit pulps, purees, and dehydrated vegetables.
Groundnuts and Related Products: Record exports of about USD 861 million, reflecting stable international demand.
Pulses and Legumes: Account for nearly US$687 million, supported by value addition through processing and packaging.
Cereal-Based Preparations: This includes ready-to-eat and breakfast cereals, estimated at around USD 842 million.
Jaggery, Sugar Products, and Confectionery: Combined export value of approximately USD 431 million.
Dairy Products: Achieved export revenues of approximately USD 625 million, reflecting growing markets for Indian milk-based products.
Other food preparations like sauces, pickles, and ready mixes contribute another USD 1.33 billion to the export basket.
Overall, India's processed food sector strengthens not only the agricultural value chains but also global food security. With increasing exports across diverse categories, maintaining high-quality standards and robust food safety systems will be key to sustaining this growth trajectory.
Advantages of adhering to Global Food Safety Standards
Indian exporters who adhere to global food safety standards benefit everyone concerned. Here's why:
Improved Market Access - Products with the proper certification find entry into high-value markets. Indian exporters can sell in countries that prefer to pay a premium for quality food.
Brand Trust and Reputation - When buyers are confident that Indian products conform to international standards, they trust Indian brands. This translates into repeat orders and long-term business relationships.
Less Waste and recalls - Good food safety practices minimize the risk of contamination, recalls, and wastage. This translates into significant cost savings for businesses.
Job Creation - As the food processing industry expands, more opportunities are created. Presently, the sector employs 2.23 million in registered units and 4.68 million in unregistered ones. Improved business practices and access to and expansion into newer markets translate into more business growth and subsequently more jobs.
Better Prices - Better products deserve higher prices. When Indian food products meet international standards, exporters can negotiate premium prices for their products.
Conclusion
Global food safety standards are not obstacles to Indian exports. They are bridges to international markets. If the Indian industry accepts these standards, it will open doors worth billions of dollars.
The answer is to recognize food safety not as a cost but as an investment. Each rupee invested in improved facilities, training, and certification returns many times over in terms of market access, improved prices, and business expansion.
SGS, the world leader in testing, inspection, and certification, can help you navigate the complex landscape of international food safety regulations. With our knowledge and global acceptance, we can assist you through each stage of the certification procedure.
Our experts dive deep into your operations to uncover opportunities, bridge gaps, and deliver practical, results-driven solutions aligned with international standards. From emerging spice exporters to large-scale food processing facilities, SGS brings unmatched expertise and a proven track record to enable your business. Partner with us to position Indian food products as the global benchmark for quality and safety — and fuel your growth on the world stage.