To guarantee the import of safe food products, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified a new regulatory framework for foreign facilities that bring food items to India. Under the regulations, foreign food manufacturing facilities that make products in certain categories for export to India will need to register with the FSSAI and might also be subject to inspection by Indian food safety officials. The Food Safety and Standards (Import) First Amendment Regulations, 2021, will come into effect on June 1. This is similar to the protocols followed by international food safety agencies such as the US Food and Drug Administration.
The FSSAI will specify the categories of food products from time-to-time based on its risk assessment, for which international factories will need to register with the regulator.
“Foreign food manufacturing facilities falling under such categories and desirous of exporting such articles of food to India shall register with the Food Authority before exporting to India,” the regulation notification added.
The registration will be given for two years. “Foreign food manufacturing facilities may be inspected if required…” “The officials from FSSAI and relevant ministry or organisation or department or recognised auditing agency shall be nominated by the Food Authority for the purpose of inspection of foreign food manufacturing facilities,” the notification added.
The inspection can be done even after the registration is obtained by these manufacturing facilities.
The FSSAI said the registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities not in compliance with the food safety regulations can be cancelled or suspended. The regulations have been notified after a year-long consultation process with industry stakeholders.