Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Madurai conducted Manak Manthan – Discussion on Indian Standards for IS 594:2024 - Common Salt for Fish Curing & IS 797:2023 - Common Salt for Chemical Industries, at the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Thoothukudi, on 11 November 2024. The meeting was attended by 55 participants representing various stakeholders, manufacturers, Industry Associations and faculty and students from Fisheries College and Research Institute, Thoothukudi.
The standards for common salt used in chemical industries ensure high purity, minimal impurities, and adherence to controlled compositions. This standard promotes the responsible production of chemical salts, essential for processes like caustic soda manufacturing and pyrotechnics, while supporting eco-friendly operations and reducing harmful byproducts that can affect ecosystems. The salt used in the fish curing industry is different from the common table salt as table salt is used for flavour whereas curing salts help in dehydration and deactivation of enzymes thus preserving the fish for a longer shelf-life.
Tmt. Swarnalatha, General Manager, District Industries Center, Chief Guest of the program delivered the inaugural address. She spoke on how standards will benefit the industries in manufacturing quality and safe products. Shri V. Chandramenon, President, Tuticorin Small Scale Salt Manufacturers Association concurred that adhering to Indian standards will provide a competitive edge to the industries. Shri S.K.S.C. Dharmaraj, President, Thoothukudi District Tiny and Small-Scale Industries Association and Shri S. Murugesan, Secretary of Tamil Nadu Refined Salt Manufacturers Association also participated and shared their insights during the discussion.
An in-depth presentation on the salient features of COMMON SALT FOR FISH CURING & COMMON SALT FOR CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES was presented by Smt. Hemalatha P. Panicker, Joint Director, BIS, Madurai. To facilitate the implementation of Standards and reduce the compliance burden on the MSME manufacturers opting for BIS certification BIS has allowed the MSME manufacturers who wish to obtain a BIS license to sub-contract the testing facilities of laboratories recognised or empanelled by BIS.
After the presentation, an open house discussion was held, and queries regarding the provisions of standards were clarified. Participants were also encouraged to send comments and technical queries related to these Indian Standards to support the continuous improvement of Indian standards. To, BIS.