The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently issued an order to port authorities regarding the clearance of imported food grains, including pulses and edible oil. The order is aimed at facilitating the clearance of such consignments in a timely and efficient manner.
The order directs all authorized officers to carry out the food import clearance process without any delays. This means that port authorities are required to facilitate the clearance of imported consignments of food grains, including pulses and edible oil. The authorized officers have been instructed to carry out a visual inspection of the consignments, and upon satisfactory inspection, samples should be drawn and a Provisional No Objection Certificate (P-NOC) should be issued without waiting for the laboratory analysis report.
In addition to this, importers are required to submit a declaration to the concerned authorized officer. The declaration prescribed by the FSSAI requires importers to provide details such as their address, bills, and warehouse information. The declaration also lays down that no part of the consignment shall be released into the market prior to the issuance of a no objection certificate.
Once the analysis report is received, the Authorized Officer shall issue the final No Objection Certificate if the product conforms to the FSSAI standards. The order further adds that the FBOs need to mention their details, including bills, addresses of the importers, and store/warehouse, among others.
This order was issued in response to references received from the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture regarding Indian pulses production, consumption scenario, and import requirements. The FSSAI has decided that the imported consignment of food grains, including pulses and crude oil (edible grade), are to be facilitated to ensure timely processing and clearance.
The FSSAI’s order is aimed at ensuring that the imported food grains, including pulses and edible oil, meet the required safety standards before they are released into the market. The order is also expected to facilitate the timely clearance of the consignments, which will help in meeting the demand for these food items in the market.
