FSSAI, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, the apex food regulatory authority of India has extended last date to import foods for Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM) till March Next Year. The Deadline ascertained by FSSAI ended on June 1, 2021.
In November, 2016, FSSAI issued a circular permitting import of Foods for Inborn Errors of Metabolism, till the time a proper framework and regulations are framed. Authority formed regulations and Standards and now, has provided a window period for FBOs to comply and come under the umbrella of regulations in full fledged way.
The reason, FSSAI, says that since the Foods for infants with IEM and Hypoallergenic infant milk substitutes are now notified under the FSS (Food for Infant Nutrition) Regulations 2020 and the FBOs were to comply with its provisions by July 1, 2021.
But since the dates of compliance of the said standards have been extended until April 2022, the FBOs were allowed to import such IEM products under certain conditions until March 31, 2022.
The FSSAI has laid conditions for the import of such food products, which include that the importing firm would submit to FSSAI well in advance, all the necessary documents related to the composition, label and claims for the product they intend to import. FSSAI, after due examination, would allow the import of such foods on a case to case basis.
The FSSAI direction reads, ‘Once a particular composition, label & claims is permitted by FSSAI for import, future consignments strictly adhering to the requirements can be imported on the basis of this one time permission.’
It strictly added that packaging of these food items should be done according to the laid down measures by the authority. The Inborn Error of Metabolism for which product is being sought from external FBOs must be indicated clearly and be consumed under proper direction and advice of Medical officers.