Nov 20 , 2020
FSSAI has framed amendments on regulations, making registration and inspection mandatory for foreign food manufacturing facilities that exports certain categories of food products to India.
Based on the risk involved, the categories of food products would be specified by FSSAI from time to time per the schedule.
FSSAI seeks to amend the import regulations of 2017 and has sought comments from the public on its draft regulations ‘Food Safety and Standards (Import) Amendment Regulations, 2020’.
As per draft regulations, “Food Authority may from time to time, based on the risk specify the categories of food products to be exported to India, for which inspection or audit of Foreign Food manufacturing facilities producing such categories of foods shall be made mandatory”.
“The foreign food manufacturing facilities falling under such categories and desirous to export such article of food to India should register with the food authority before exporting to India”, it added.
The draft further adds, “Foreign Food manufacturing facility either directly or through importer may apply for registration”.
On receipt of the complete application, FSSAI would process the application for inspection and issuance of registration or rejection of the application as the matter of fact.
“Officials from FSSAI and relevant ministry/ organization/ department for the purpose of inspection of foreign food manufacturing facilities shall be nominated by the Food Authority,” the draft regulations said.
Foreign food manufacturing facility or facilities may come under inspection in a manner as specified by FSSAI. These facilities can also be inspected after the issuance of registration, as deemed necessary at the time.
Foreign food manufacturing facility found to be in compliance with the Food Safety and Standards Act would be registered for five years of the tenure.
“Foreign Food manufacturing facility which requires the mandatory audit shall get their facility audited by the auditing agency recognized by the Food Authority,” the draft said.
The occurrence of audits will be specified by the food authority from time to time. The copy of the audit report/certificate issued by the auditing agency should be submitted to the Food Authority.
FSSAI also proposes suspension or cancellation of registration if foreign food manufacturing facility or their food products are found not to be in compliance with the food safety laws of India.
However, the food authority might review the suspension or cancellation after giving an opportunity for hearing or clarification, as deemed fit during the case-study.