India’s food regulator is proposing tougher regulations for food importers, as it seeks to address concerns about the entry of sub-standard food products into the country. The FSSAI is planning to clamp down on import of food products through its latest draft regulations. The draft norms require importers to indemnify consumers through third-party insurance cover for injuries or damages caused by imported food items. FSSAI will soon put the proposed regulation on its website seeking public comments.
According to the draft regulations, importers will also be required to submit a certificate showing a history of safe consumption of the food product in the country of origin. If importers can furnish the safety track record, the Indian regulator will fast-track approvals for those products. Earlier, importers were required to only produce a certificate of origin issued by an authorised person or agency at the place of manufacturing of the food consignment. Certificate of origin issued by authorised person or agency at the place of manufacturing or processing, etc, of the food consignment. Certificate of origin shall contain information on country of origin, etc, if the consignor is from a different country.
The draft regulations also require videography of the process of taking samples for testing in order to document the procedure.The draft also requires all containers in which food items are imported to adhere to international standards with respect to temperature and the material of the container. India’s labelling norms will apply to both imported items and food products manufactured in India.
