The FSSAI has classified import clearance of food items and functioning of notified food testing laboratories (including National Food Labs) under Essential Services during the COVID-19 outbreaks.
The FSSAI has said that all personnel who are assigned for the above essential services are required to be available in office on all working days from Monday to Friday between 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM in order to facilitate trade as well as ensure smoother operation of related services across the country. FSSAI offices in all six locations that is Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin and Tuticorin are fully operational for scrutiny of applications, visual inspection and sampling for import clearance to ensure expeditious processing of applications and timely issuance of NOC.
The FSSAI has advised all importers to inform their clearing agents about the same. If food importers face any problem or need any further clarification in this regard, they may contact FSSAIās regional offices or email their queries at [email protected]. The details of various regional offices are available on the website.
FSSAI is keeping a close watch on the situation. It will continue to assist food importers as well as ensure regular supervision and testing of food items and will take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of food products.
For clearance of food imports the FSSAI has an online system called the Food Import Clearance System (FICS) which is an external link but which is seamlessly integrated with the Customs ICE-GATE (Indian Customs Electronic Commerce/Electronic Data interchange (EC/EDI) Gateway) external link under SWIFT (Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade). Selective sampling and testing of food articles on the basis of risk profiling done by FSSAI is implemented at the Customs ICEGATE.
The food articles when referred to FSSAI for clearance by the Customs Authorities are subjected to scrutiny of documents, visual inspection, sampling and testing in order to determine whether or not they conform to the safety and quality standards established and laid down under various Food Safety and Standards Regulations. If sample is found conforming then No Objection Certificate (NOC) is generated and if not conforming, then Non-Conforming Report (NCR) is generated.
Source: FSSAI
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