New Delhi, Apr 23 (KNN) The ban on import of milk and milk products from China may be extended until the capacity of all laboratories at ports of entry have been suitably upgraded for testing melamine, said Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI).

The issue was reviewed in a meeting held in FSSAI with the concerned Departments/Ministries of the Government of India, wherein it was recommended “Ban on import of milk and milk products, including chocolates and chocolate products and candies/ confectionary /food preparations with milk and milk solids as ingredients from China may be extended until the capacity of all laboratories at ports of entry have been suitably upgraded for testing melamine.”

With regard to the ban on import of milk and milk products from China, the letter was issued by FSSAI.

The ban was first imposed by Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in September 2008 and later extended from time to time. The last notification came in December which extended the ban up to April 23, 2019.

The import of chocolates and chocolate products and candies/ confectionary/food preparations with milk and milk solids as an ingredient were also included in the ban.

The ban was imposed on apprehensions of the presence of melamine in some milk consignments from China. Melamine is a toxic chemical used for making plastics and fertilizers.