Manufacturing Processes of Desiccated Coconut Via a Vis Control on Quality Issues

[SREEKUMAR NAIR]

Dear All,

               This was the topic of my presentation at the 45th APCC in Kochi on July 4th and I am pleased to inform all that Mr Romulo Arankon, the Executive Director has informed me that he would include my name in the list of consultants of APCC with my core specialisation being process consultancy vis a vis equipment selection and quality control.

               The background to my topic was my work experience with major international buyers who are interested in identifying a reliable suppliers of DC for long term tie up's thereby de risking their supply chain.

               I then understood that in India, with the exception of a single manufacturer all the rest had no quality control systems much less any awareness that QA and certification would help them in better valuation of their products. As it is a food product all of you would agree that it is not an option but an essential requirement.

                The situation in other SE Asian countries is slightly better. There are still un certified units, and a fair number of those who are only focused on trading and are fly by night operators. In process equipment lesser quality material specification is not an exception but a norm with the buyer remaining unaware.

                My client in Brazil had the experience of 4 containers of DC from India having to be written off and 2 containers of frozen coconut meat from Indonesia also having to be written off. The SGS certificate in both instances was in order and thereby the LC's were cleared . 10-20 % of a container having to be written off was becomming standard .Thus today all my clients have now taken recourse to engaging me for random inspection of the process and physical check of the quality of shipment prior to dispatch.Such is the magnitude of risk in international trade of DC.

                The Coconut Development Board of India recognising the severity of this problem has now mandated that new units should be certified for quality systems and as it seeks to improve the overall value addition of Indian produce, should go the way of the Tea Board and the Coffee Board of India who compulsorily mandate quality certification for exports which will force lax units to put in place systems so that the overall reputation of India as an origin is not affected.

Regards,

Sreekumar Nair

Creative Advisory Services

Mob + 91 9884818160

[Ecofriendly Trading Company]

Dear mr.Sreekumaran Nair,

 

Sorry  it is from you ?, that no company in india not having quality control other than that you giving guide lines,it is only your business interst.My company is certified for ISO 9000 & 22000.So please not conclude any thing without any  enquiry.

 

regards.

Sankaran Namboodiri

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Coconut" group.
 
Having difficulty accessing the group website ? Get help by writing, in confidence, to coconu...@googlegroups.com
 
Getting too many emails? The abridged email option (no more than 1 email per day) gives a summary of new activity each day; the digest email option (approximately 1 email per day) gives up to 25 full new messages bundled into a single email. For more options, go to http://groups.google.com/group/coconut/subscribe
 
To unsubscribe, send an email to coconut-u...@googlegroups.com

[SREEKUMAR NAIR]

Dear Mr Namboodri,

                              The overall point that I wished to make was that Quality is a factor that is not just based on  a physical certificate which in India is not very difficult to obtain. I know of agencies who offer to do this for small sums ranging from Rs 15000 to Rs 20000. I had showed slides to illustrate some bad housekeeping and factory standards . These pictures were taken from units which have this certification but which are in no way comparable to the standards required in a genuine certified unit. The group will understand my point from the first picture which is from a ISO 9001:2000 certified unit which my principals were sceptical about and mandated me to inspect on their behalf.

                              My business interest is primarily in working with units which have a genuine interest in equating themselves to internationally accepted norms and thereby providing linkages to my overseas clients. I do not do certification work and hence this is not benefiting me in any way. If a processor is genuinely interested in upgrading his standards I work with such people to towards reaching the standards after which they get themselves certified. 

                               Besides the basic certification does not take into account equipment standards.Is mild steel an acceptable contact part in place of SS ? Are the machines that are used designed as per food safety norms ? The group can make its inferences from the second picture attached.

                                If you post some pictures of the key areas of your factory in support of your contention of your standards, I am willing to offer you an apology if prima facie the standard in your factory is what I have been advocating in the interest of the industry.

Regards,

Sreekumar Nair

--

Regards,

Sreekumar Nair

Mob + 91 9884818160

[Ecofriendly Trading Company]

Dear mr.Sreeekumaran Nair,

 my interst is very clear when you are giving a statement that only one company having standard what is the impact ,you can advice,but not say only one.I take you to my company and you can seen my factory how i am keepng the sysytem.Please inform me your place .

 

regards.

sankaran namboodiri.

9944105666 

[SREEKUMAR NAIR]

DEAR ALL,

                  I HAVE MADE MY POINT. I HAVE NOT NAMED ANY COMPANY IN THIS FORUM, EITHER POSITIVELY OR NEGATIVELY.UNFORTUNATELY I DID NOT EXPECT ANYONE TO TAKE IT PERSONALLY.

I AM TERMINATING THIS DISCUSSION AS I DO NOT WISH IT TO BE PERSONAL. 

REGARDS
SREEKUMAR NAIR

[Vinay Chand]

Certification is an interesting area. In a number of areas I have recently looked at certification and the national infrastructure required. The global multinational buyers, in general are more concerned with their own due diligence. Some guidelines are beyond question - one being that a plant should be FDA standard. Hoseable tile floors etc. Machinery suppliers like Alfa Laval and GVA specify that in any case since they are experts in ensuring standards are met.

 

Some developing countries have standards that are more accepted than others and in any case it depends on the product. In he way of illustration, major essential oil producers in India and Indonesia are considered very acceptable.

 

With Desiccated coconut, this is a long established product with clear international standards that must be conformed to. The national certification process is being developed in many countries and I recently recommended Egypt being given over a hundred million dollars to upgrade theirs. It is an expensive business.

 

Good luck in the dialogue,

 

Vinay Chand,
230, Finchley Road,
London NW36DJ,UK
Tel:020-77945977
Fax: 020-7431 5715
www.ruraldevelopment.info

[Vinay Chand]

Dear Sreekumar

 

Your point is perfectly valid, Don’t get upset and don’t hesitate in disagreeing with people, it is a very positive thing.

 

 

Vinay Chand,
230, Finchley Road,
London NW36DJ,UK
Tel:020-77945977
Fax: 020-7431 5715
www.ruraldevelopment.info

----- Original Message -----

From: SREEKUMAR NAIR

To: coc...@googlegroups.com