ICAR-CIFT signed a MoU with Merck Life Science Private Limited on 23^rd of July 2024 to develop test kits for the determination of foodborne pathogens and to develop food safety guidance documents and SOPs. Apart from this, the collaboration also aims to develop joint scientific projects, to develop methods for microbial detection, workflow development and provide subject matter guidance, regulatory consultation, scientific demonstrations and training in the field of Food Safety as mutually agreed. The MoU was exchanged by Dr. George Ninan, Director, ICAR-CIFT, Cochin and Dr. Veena Panicker, Head of BioMonitoring, Merck Lifescience Pvt. Ltd. In the presence of Dr R Dinesh, Director, ICAR-Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode, Kerala; Dr Bindu J., Head, Fish Processing Division and other dignitaries in the inaugural ceremony of DST-SERB sponsored Kaaryashala on “Business avenues in Fish processing and value addition” organized by Fish Processing Division & ZTMC - Agribusiness Incubation Centre of ICAR-CIFT. The team for this collaboration consist of Dr. Zynudheen A. A, Head, Quality Assurance & Management Division, Dr. Pankaj Kishore, Dr. Niladri Sekhar Chatterjee, Dr. Ranjit Kumar Nadella, Mr. Babu P.S., Mr. Ajith Chellapan , Mr. Padmaraj P.D., and Mrs. Bindu Joseph from ICAR-CIFT, Cochin and Mr. Ashvinkmar J, Dr. Harmesh Sahay, Mr. Satheesh K Nair, Mr. Parag from Merck group. A confidentiality agreement was also signed between ICAR-CIFT, Cochin and Merck for the development of rapid testing kits. ICAR-CIFT is the first research institute in India to sign MoU with Merck group.