Through a letter dated 13 June 2018, the FSSAI has informed all concerned that the ban on import of milk and milk products from China will continue at least up to 23 December 2018.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India had imposed a ban on the import of milk and milk products from China in 2008 for three months. This ban was an interim step which was necessary to enable other departments to put in place suitable measures to restrict the import of contaminated milk products into the country.
Subsequently, the ban was extended for another six months in 2009. The import of chocolates and chocolate products and candies/confectionary/ food preparations containing milk as well as milk solids as an ingredient were, also at this time, included in the ban. This ban has continued to be extended from time to time and the last notification for the ban was 22 June 2017 through which the ban had been extended up to 23 June 2018.
The issue of the ban was recently reviewed in a meeting held in 0 on 11 June 2018 with the concerned departments and ministries of Government of India. The review meeting recommended that the ban on the import of milk and milk products from China is to be extended for a further six months, which is till 23 December 2018. Therefore, the ban on the import of the following products from China is to continue
- milk and milk products
- includes chocolates and chocolate products
- candies
- confectionery
- food preparations with milk and milk solids as an ingredient
The letter also states that the ban on these products has been extended till 23 December 2018 unless their safety is established before that date on the basis of credible reports and supporting data, in which case the ban could be lifted before the December date.
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