New Delhi, June 3 -- New Delhi: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is set to introduce new standards for washers used to clean root and tuber vegetables, which have a diverse demand across the country as well as globally, two people directly involved in the process said.

These machines are crucial for food processing units and major exporters handling produce such as carrots, radish, beetroot, cassava and potatoes, among others.

The upcoming standards aim to modernize the way these crops that are pulled from underground and often carry a heavy load of soil and contaminants are cleaned before they reach domestic and international markets. This comes in the backdrop of India pushing to diversify its agricultural and horticultural export...