Through its notification dated 24 February 2021, the FSSAI has made some clarifications regarding requirement of Non-GM cum GM free certificate to accompany imported food consignments. On this subject the FSSAI has previously issued several orders which are dated 21 August 2020, 03 December 2020 and 08 February 2021.
The FSSAI has issued these orders based on the Food Safety and Standards (Imports) Regulations, 2017 which specifies that “the Food Authority may issue order or advisory or guideline as it deems fit, from time to time for ensuring the safety and wholesomeness of articles of food imported into India and such prohibitions and restrictions shall be informed to the customs immediately.”
In view of this provision the FSSAI had decided and stated in its order dated 21 August 2020, that consignments of imported food products as mentioned in this same order (names of food products available at http://foodsafetyhelpline.com/fssai-notification-on-requirement-of-non-gm-cum-gm-free-certificate-for-some-imported-food-consignments/) shall be accompanied with a Non-Gm origin cum GM free certificate as issued by the Competent National Authority of the exporting country. The requirement of the Non-Gm cum GM free certificate is applicable for consignments which have been dispatched from the exporting country on or after 1 March 2021.
With regard to the Non-GM cum GM free certificate the FSSAI has now made further clarifications which are as follows
- Non-GM origin cum GM free attestation on phytosanitary/health certificate for each consignment is also accepted provided it contains all the information and declaration as mentioned in the format issued by FSSAI which is given below.
- Non-Gm origin cum GM free certificate issued by authorised regional government authorities as per the prescribed format are also acceptable
- Further it has been stated by FSSAI that such certificates as stated above, will be acceptable even if they carry digital signatures.
Annexure-II
CERTIFICATE FOR NON-GM ORIGIN AND GM FREE STATUS
Certificate no_____________ Date__________
It is hereby certified that the product described below is NON-GM origin and does not contain genetically modified organism (GMO) and also not genetically modified.
- Name and address of the exporter:
- Name and address of the manufacturer:
- Name and address of consignee:
- Description of product:
- Invoice no. and date:
- /Batch No.:
- Expiry date of product, if any:
- Quantity of Product:
- Manufacturing/production date and code/packaging date:
- Number and type of packing (container/grade) bulk/others:
- Date of shipment and place:
- Probable date of loading:
- Place of loading:
- Country of export:
- FOB value:
Date of Issue:
Place of Issue:
Signature of authorised officer
Name and Designation:
Stamp/Seal of the competent authority of exporting country
Source : FSSAI
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