UKIBC Food and Drink Advocacy Win – Rectifiable labelling
By Shubhi Mishra
Following UKIBC’s repeated deliberations and representations to FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) about their stringent labelling requirements, including that related to the rectification of India specific requirements, FSSAI has confirmed inclusion of the rectifiable labelling requirement.
FSSAI, with a view to facilitating trade, allows rectification of labelling by affixing a single non-detachable sticker or by any other non-detachable method next to the principal display panel without altering or masking the original label information in any manner. In addition to the previously allowed rectifiable labelling information for imported food and drinks, which were name and address of the importer, FSSAI license number and logo, and Vegetarian/Non-Vegetarian logo, FSSAI has also allowed rectification of the following information, after verification of the information from the relevant documents:
- Name and complete address of manufacturer and/ or packer if compliance with documents,
- Lot/ Code/ Batch identification,
- Date of Manufacturing/ Packaging,
- Declaration regarding food additives
Following UKIBC’s request to FSSAI on this requirement, UKIBC has received a note from the Director of Imports at FSSAI confirming that the issue is under examination and that FSSAI will not hold any consignment based on these declarations. Upon UKIBC’s request, FSSAI also assured intervention for any case of held up consignments from UK suppliers.
These rectifications can be done at a custom bonded warehouse in India upon arrival of the goods and the said information can be verified by the accompanying documents like invoices, certificates of analysis, Bills of Entry etc. Earlier, FSSAI mandated the above-mentioned information as a non-rectifiable labelling requirement, which in turn limited UK exporters to meet this India specific requirement and have an impact on their business engagements.
UKIBC has engaged with neutral allies and also with Government of India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority to voice advocacy concern and have eventually gained a win for UK businesses exporting to India.
Most of the global markets do not seek the above-mentioned information as mandatory on the label, thus making this an India specific labelling requirement. This particular requirement was acting as a trade barrier limiting business engagement for the UK exporters and this advocacy win will therefore benefit several UK F&D stakeholders. This positive change is reflective of the forward-looking approach of the Indian authorities and their willingness to engage with team UKIBC.
For more information contact Shubhi Mishra, Lead – Food and Drink Policy, Advocacy, and Trade Promotion at Shubhi.mishra@ukibc.com
