Govt notifies allowing export of certain processed food items

NEW DELHI: The Commerce Ministry today notified the government's decision that export of processed food items such as wheat flour, butter, cheese and oats will not be banned even though shipments of basic items are not allowed.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification that the government has exempted with immediate effect 10 processed and value-added agricultural products from any export restrictions/ban.

These products are: wheat flour, cereal flour, Cereal groats and meal pellets, milk products (including casein), butter, cheese and curd, value added products of onion, peanut butter and other cereal items.

"Export of above processed and/or value added agricultural products will be exempted from any restriction / ban even in the event of restriction / ban on the export of basic farm produce," the notification said.

Generally, such restrictions or ban on export of food items when announced are made applicable to both processed and raw materials.

Last month, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had taken a decision in this regard.