The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced that labelling deficiencies on imported food consignments may now be rectified within customs-bonded warehouses. This approval, however, excludes crucial information such as Lot No./Code No./Batch Identification, Date Marking (Date of manufacture or packaging, Expiry/Use by/Best Before), and Country of Origin for Imported Foods.
The FSSAI emphasized that these specific details cannot be altered or rectified. The directive, issued by the food authority, mandates that label rectification must take place at customs-bonded warehouses prior to visual inspection or re-inspection by the authorized officer or their representative. This can be achieved by affixing a single non-detachable sticker or employing any other non-detachable method.
During the visual inspection, the authorized officer or their representative will verify label compliance. Only consignments that meet the labelling requirements as per the FSS Regulations will be subject to sampling and testing. The FSSAI aims to streamline business processes while maintaining the safety standards of imported food into India with these modifications.
Manvesh Kumar, Director of Imports at FSSAI, commented, “The modifications are done to facilitate ease of doing business while ensuring the safety of food imported into India. This office order supersedes all previous orders issued in this regard.”