FSSAI extends date of registration to 31 Aug for importers of international food facilities

The FSSAI has received requests from various stakeholders to extend the transition period for the registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities to avoid disruption in imports

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an order allowing the import of products from registered and non-registered foreign food manufacturing facilities in certain food categories until August 31. This decision was taken after the FSSAI received representations from industry stakeholders who expressed concerns about disruptions in imports.

The Food Safety and Standards (Import) First Amendment Regulations 2021 make it mandatory for foreign food manufacturing facilities to register with the FSSAI if they produce food products in specified categories for export to India. These categories include milk and milk products, meat and meat products (including poultry and fish and their products), egg powder, infant food, and nutraceuticals.

The FSSAI has received requests from various stakeholders to extend the transition period for the registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities to avoid disruption in imports. It has also stated that stakeholders must provide information about these international manufacturing facilities to the FSSAI at least 30 days before the shipment of the cargo.

The FSSAI has encouraged stakeholders to register or update their facility in advance on the FSSAI online portal ‘ReFoM’ through the competent authority of the exporting country before exporting food products of the said categories to avoid disruption in trade.