The fundamental criterion for international trade is food quality should be safe and free from adulteration. Governments have designed and enacted standards and regulations that ensure consumer safety and prevent malpractices in the production and sale of foods. Many importing countries have established food control agencies to ensure that all imported foods comply with those produced domestically. All exporting nations have food control agencies to ensure that export products comply with the statutory requirements of the importing countries.

The government of Kerala has been making various efforts to implement the Food Quality & Safety Hygiene (HACCP) Programme in the Food Processing sector and to facilitate HACCP Certification for the food industry and other food-related vendors, a National Centre for HACCP Certification (NCHC) has been set up in Kerala State.

The National Centre for HACCP Certification (NCHC) is a Quality organisation providing professional & cost-effective assessment, audit and certification of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) System for the food industry and other food-related vendors.