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India proposes QCO for food-processing machines to curtail low-quality Chinese imports
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Wednesday, 03 December, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, New Delhi
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In a major move aimed at strengthening food safety and production standards, the Government of India is considering issuing a new Quality Control Order (QCO) for food-processing machinery potentially reshaping the manufacturing and supply landscape for processors across the country. The proposal comes after a recent government study found that roughly 41% of India’s food-processing equipment imports originate from China.
Under the proposed QCO regime, all machinery used in food, grain, bakery, vegetable and other processing lines would need to comply with technical norms set by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Machines will be required to meet minimum safety, hygiene, and performance criteria before they can be imported, sold, or used domestically. The mandatory standards aim to tackle long-standing concerns over frequent breakdowns, sub-standard build quality, hygiene lapses, and potential contamination risks associated with low-cost imported equipment.
India’s food-processing industry currently the world’s sixth-largest depends significantly on imports to meet equipment demand. The study estimates that food-processing machinery demand runs into Rs 350–400 billion, with imports accounting for roughly 14–18% of total demand.
If implemented, the new regulatory framework could deliver long-term benefits by raising the quality bar for food-processing operations, boosting safety for consumers, and encouraging domestic machinery manufacturing. However, experts warn that the transition could also bring short-term disruption — especially for smaller and medium-scale food processors reliant on cheap imported machines. Many may face higher costs, longer equipment lead times, or struggle to re-certify existing machines under BIS norms.
Analysts believe the success of the proposed QCO will hinge on a phased rollout and ramped-up testing infrastructure. Ensuring smooth implementation will be crucial to balancing regulatory oversight with the needs of India’s vast food-processing sector.
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