The vertex food regulator of India, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, FSSAI, has put forward Draft Notification on Food Safety and Standards (Import) Amendment Regulations, 2017, related to sampling of food imported for captive use or production of value-added products for 100% exports.
Called the Draft Food Safety and Standards (Import) Amendment Regulations, 2021, the amendment proposes that in the Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017, in Sub-regulation (3) of Regulation 7, the Clause (B) shall be omitted.
Regulation number 7 is part of the Chapter IV of the import regulations and deals with the food import clearance for specific purposes.
Under the said Sub-regulation 3, unless otherwise specified, the Customs authority need not refer the imported articles of food to the Food Authority for clearance if such articles of food are meant for the purpose including -A). export as per the extant instructions and export rejected or re- imported articles of food meant for re-export of the Government ; and B) the articles of food or ingredients or additives which are being imported by the manufacturers of processors for their captive use or production of value-added products for 100% exports; or the consignments of articles of food or ingredients or additives imported by the firms or companies for use of their sister concerns or wholly owned subsidiary companies, to be used for 100% export production subject to a defined relationship agreement between the two entities in this behalf.
FSSAI requested all the stakeholders to pour in the comments on the draft issued. FSSAI announced after releasing the draft.