Food safety authority issues guidelines for transparent clearance of food imports
Updated: Feb 07, 2014 05:29:27pm
New Delhi, Feb 7 (KNN) The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued general guidelines concerning import of food articles to ensure that a uniform and transparent system is followed by authorised officers at all ports.
“Several instances have come to the notice of FSSAI HQ from which it appears that there is lack of clarity in many areas of the food import clearance system followed by FSSAI. Several of such issues have been compiled and brought at one place for a continued uniform and transparent application of the procedures across all ports where FSSAI is looking after the import clearance of food articles,” said a FSSAI notification of January-10.
The guidelines for the Food Import Clearance System (FICS) pertain to procedures for review of documents, visual inspection of consignments, sampling and dispatch of samples to laboratories, laboratory related functions, issue / non-issue of NOC / NCC, appeals against rejections, activities where product approval is involved, and issues relating to re-imported food product.
Commenting on FSSAI’s notification, Assistant Secretary (Technical), All India Food Processors’ Association, Jyoti Soni said that the guidelines provide assistance to all the food importers and customs authorities for a continued uniform and transparent clearance of food articles being imported into India.
It is necessary that the AOs and other officers and others concerned read these guidelines carefully and ensure due compliance. These guidelines support implementation of the FSS Act, Rules and Regulations made thereunder and advisories issues from time to time and are intended to assist in dealing with the food articles sought to be imported, the notice added.
All authorised officers have been asked to prominently display the guidelines on their notice boards and also forward a copy to the Commissioner of Customs as well as notified and referral laboratories under their jurisdiction. (KNN/ES)
“Several instances have come to the notice of FSSAI HQ from which it appears that there is lack of clarity in many areas of the food import clearance system followed by FSSAI. Several of such issues have been compiled and brought at one place for a continued uniform and transparent application of the procedures across all ports where FSSAI is looking after the import clearance of food articles,” said a FSSAI notification of January-10.
The guidelines for the Food Import Clearance System (FICS) pertain to procedures for review of documents, visual inspection of consignments, sampling and dispatch of samples to laboratories, laboratory related functions, issue / non-issue of NOC / NCC, appeals against rejections, activities where product approval is involved, and issues relating to re-imported food product.
Commenting on FSSAI’s notification, Assistant Secretary (Technical), All India Food Processors’ Association, Jyoti Soni said that the guidelines provide assistance to all the food importers and customs authorities for a continued uniform and transparent clearance of food articles being imported into India.
It is necessary that the AOs and other officers and others concerned read these guidelines carefully and ensure due compliance. These guidelines support implementation of the FSS Act, Rules and Regulations made thereunder and advisories issues from time to time and are intended to assist in dealing with the food articles sought to be imported, the notice added.
All authorised officers have been asked to prominently display the guidelines on their notice boards and also forward a copy to the Commissioner of Customs as well as notified and referral laboratories under their jurisdiction. (KNN/ES)
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