Kathmandu, April 8 -- India's food safety authority has officially recognised standard certificates issued by Nepal's National Food and Feed Reference Laboratory (NFFRL), marking a milestone five years after the two countries signed a related memorandum of understanding.

This recognition allows eight specific food products-juice, jam, jelly, pickles, candies, ginger, fresh fruits and vegetables, plus instant noodles-to be tested at the Nepali lab and accepted for export to India.

Exporters have welcomed the move, saying it will benefit farmers and producers by reducing export-related hassles, eliminating reliance on middlemen, and cutting costs.

The Indian Embassy in Nepal informed the Post that the Food Safety and Standards Authority ...