According to the Foreign Agricultural Service of the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has modified its food import regulations.On 2 September 2016, FSAAI modified the food import regulations which supersede FSSAI’s earlier modification from January 2016. The modified regulations are based on comments received from various stakeholders. Some of the modifications are the following:
- The sampling will be drawn randomly based on the risk factor.
- The introduction of the Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade (SWIFT) system software which identifies the history of the importer.
- The insertion of a new clause in the compliance section for packaging and labelling regulation of imported food products.
- The importer’s appeal against the results of the lab has to be within 15 days.
- The addition of a new clause on the provision for post clearance surveillance and inspection.
USDA GAIN Report: India. Modified 2016 Food Import Regulations