The (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) vide notification dated the 10th November, 2020 has issued the draft the Food Safety and Standards (Import) Amendment Regulations, 2020. Objections and suggestions, if any, may be sent through e-mail at regulation@fssai.gov.in; within 60 days. They shall come into force from either 1st January or 1st July subject to a minimum of 180 days from the date of their final publication in the official Gazette. The Food Authority may from time to time based on the risk specify the categories of food products to be exported to India, for which inspection or audit of Foreign Food manufacturing facilities producing such categories of foods shall be mandatory. Those facilities shall comply with the following:
- Foreign Food manufacturing facility either directly or through importer may apply for registration in “Form 16” of these regulations along with documents specified and fee as specified by the Food Authority.
- Foreign Food manufacturing facility (ies) may be inspected in a manner as specified by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
- Foreign Food manufacturing facility which requires mandatory audit shall get their facility audited by the auditing agency recognized by the Food Authority. Frequency of audit shall be specified by the Food Authority from time to time. Copy of the audit report/certificate issued by the auditing agency shall be submitted to the Food Authority.
