MANDATORY REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN FOOD MANUFACTURING FACILITIES OF SPECIFIC FOOD ITEMS WITH FSSAI - IMPORT INTO INDIA - ENTRY OF ALLOWED ONLY THROUGH SPECIFIC 61 PORTS

[raghunandhaanan rvi]

FSSAI has decided to make some changes in the importation of certain specific food items into India with effect from 01.02.2023.   

What are those Specific Food products?

Those food products are: Milk and Milk Products; Meat and Meat Products (Including Poultry, Fish, and their products); Egg Powder; Infant Foods; Neutraceuticals

What are the changes?

Registration of Foreign Food Manufacturing Facilities with FSSAI made mandatory

All foreign food manufacturing facilities of the above food categories intending to export these goods into India have to mandatorily register with FSSAI in a specific format and sent through e.mail id dramit.sharma@fssai.gov.in, and import@fssai.gov.in; before 1^st February 2023.   Registration of such facilities will be done by the FSSAI at its portal. Please see CBIC Instruction No. 30/2022 – Customs dated 14.11.2022

Imports of these items are allowed only through Specific Ports directly managed by FSSAI officials  :

FSSAI has identified 61 ports where FSSAI Office and Officials are available through which the above food products including Health Supplements, Food for dietary uses, Probiotic and prebiotic foods,  and foods for special medical purposes allowed to be imported w.e.f. 01.02.2023  A list of such 61 specific ports is attached with CBIC Instruction No. 31/2022-Customs dated 14.11.2022

Effect of the changes

Changes in the importation of certain specific food items have been notified by FSSAI and CBIC. Accordingly, entry of the Import of the above-stated specific food items into India will be allowed only through 61 specific ports which are directly managed by FSSAI office /Officials. Further, all foreign food manufacturing facilities that intend to export those specific items into India must be registered with FSSAI before 01.02.2023. Non-compliance with these changes may cause delay or reject clearance of those food items.

See:

Restricted entry of food items in under specific ports - cir. No. Instruction No. 31/2022

Requirement of Registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities as per Food Safety and Standards (Import) First Amendment Regulations, 2021 dated 03.11.2021 - cir. No. Instruction No. 30/2022