Import clearance, food testing labs classified as essential services
Food Safety & Standards Authority (FSSAI) has classified the import clearance of food items and functioning of notified food testing laboratories (including National Food Labs) under Essential Services during the Covid-19.
03 Apr 2020 | 2732 Views | By Dibyajyoti Sarma
All personnel who are assigned the charge of above essential services are required to be available in office on all working days in order to facilitate the trade as well as ensure smooth operation of related services across the country.
FSSAI has its offices at six locations, namely Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin and Tuticorin and all these offices are fully operational for scrutiny of applications, visual inspection and sampling for import clearance to ensure expeditious processing of applications and timely issuance of NOC. Therefore, all importers are advised to inform their clearing agents accordingly.
Food importers facing any problem or need any further clarification in this regard may be advised to contact FSSAI’s regional offices or email their queries at import@fssai.gov.in.
The details of various regional offices are available on the website. FSSAI is keeping a close watch on the situation. It will continue to assist food importers as well as ensure regular supervision and testing of food items and will take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of food products.