UKIBC Food & Drink Advocacy Win
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has extended the deadline for the implementation of registration requirements for foreign manufacturing facilities as a prerequisite for imports.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently issued an amendment to Order Number TIC-BO2/2/2022 – Imports-FSSAI. Through this amendment, the authority has deferred the implementation deadline for registration requirements concerning foreign manufacturing facilities in specific categories deemed essential for imports. The revised implementation date is scheduled for 31 August 2024, and it applies to both registered and non-registered foreign manufacturing facilities. Noteworthy categories affected by this extension include milk and milk products, meat and meat products, egg powder, infant formula, and nutraceuticals.
Background
On 10 October 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) issued Order No. F. No. TIC-B02/2/2022-IMPORTS-FSSAI. This directive mandated the registration, with the competent authority of jurisdiction in the country of export, of all foreign food manufacturing facilities intending to export select categories to India. The order stipulates that competent authorities of all exporting nations must email to the FSSAI a list of existing manufacturers and those intending to export the specified products to India, following the prescribed FSSAI format. Initially, the effective implementation date of this FSSAI order was proposed as February 1, 2023.
This welcome extension follows a collaborative dialogue with the FSSAI, which included the UKIBC and other stakeholders, The recent directive signed by Mr. Manvesh Kumar – the FSSAI’s Director of Imports, acknowledges the appeal from various stakeholders and declares that imports of the pertinent food categories will be permissible in India from both registered and non-registered foreign food manufacturing facilities until 31 August 2024. Subsequent to this deadline, the directive mandates competent authorities of all exporting nations to furnish FSSAI with a list encompassing existing manufacturers and those intending to export.
Categories Impacted:
- milk and milk products;
- meat and meat products;
- egg powder;
- infant food; and
- nutraceuticals
The aforementioned order serves as a testament to the commitment of FSSAI officials to continue to improve the Ease of Doing Business. This will directly benefit both domestic and international enterprises operating within the food and drink sector.
For more details please see: FSSAI in India Extends Mandatory Registration Requirement for Foreign Food Manufacturing Facilities Importing Specific Food Categories
For more technical details related to the subject announcement and others contact Shubhi Mishra, Head Food and Drink shubhi.mishra@ukibc.com.
