The apex food regulator, FSSAI, has postponed the due date of the consent for import of speciality foods for IEM (Inborn Errors of Metabolism) and hypoallergenic conditions. FSSAI has released an order regarding this stating that in continuation to the previously given guidelines in April 2020, the import of such food products will be permitted for next six months that is till 1st May, 2021.
The order declared- “It has been further planned to permit the import of food for special medical purpose i.e., food for Inborn Errors of Metabolism and hypoallergenic conditions, as notified (by the FSSAI) for a further period of six months starting from 02/11/2020 till 1/05/2021 or up till their standards are notified whichever comes earlier.”
Nevertheless, the imports could only be done via two ports of Delhi and Mumbai, as per the order.
“For enhanced control, the import of such products shall continue to be allowed via Delhi and Mumbai Ports only,” asserts the order.
It is relevent to mention here that the FSSAI has permitted the import of speciality food for IEM in India since 2016.
The conditions of IEM noted by FSSAI includes- amino acid metabolic disorders, defects in the intraluminal hydrolysis of fat, disaccharidase deficiencies, galactosemia, glucose transport defect, glutaric acidemia type 1, homocystinuria, 3-hydroxy long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, isovaleric acidemia, maple syrup urine disease, methylmalonic acidemias, nonketotic hyperglycinemia, phenylketonuria, and tyrosinemia, and urea cycle disorders,
And the listed hypoallergenic conditions encompasses severe allergy due to multiple food protein intolerance that can’t be efficiently controlled by the extensively hydrolysed formula and cow milk protein allergy.
As per an official of the FSSAI, the work on the standards is in progress and it is anticipated to be finished within the coming six months.
