MPEDA opens quality control lab in Porbandar for seafood exporters

The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) has opened a quality control laboratory here to facilitate tests for seafood processors and exporters to confirm to product safety as per international regulatory requirements.

Highlights

• The laboratory is to test seafood processors and exporters to make sure their products are safe according to international regulatory requirement.
• It is equipped with equipment to analyse antibiotic residues and heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury.
• These residues and metals are to be tested tuna, mackerel and also histamine in fish.

Histamine

• Histamine is a compound released by fish in response to allergy and inflammatory reactions. It causes contraction of smooth muscle and dilation of capillaries.

Why in Gujarat?

• Gujarat has low instances of antibiotic residues in seas foods. However, a number of cephalopod consignments are rejected overseas due to the presence of heavy metals, especially Cadmium.

National