India Tightens Food Import Regulations, Rejects Substandard Products

India has implemented strict measures against the import of substandard food items, rejecting consignments of apples, nuts, alcoholic beverages, and sushi from countries such as China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Turkey. These products were found to be non-compliant with the quality and safety standards enforced by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

The rejections were publicized through the FSSAI’s recently launched Food Import Rejection Alert (FIRA) portal, designed to enhance transparency and traceability. The portal facilitates the swift exchange of information about rejected products, allowing authorities worldwide to take timely actions to prevent safety risks.

The FSSAI exercises its regulatory authority under Regulation 11(7) of the Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulation, 2017, which empowers it to issue alerts regarding unsafe food imports. For example, in May, a shipment of cinnamon flower buds from Sri Lanka was rejected due to the lack of prior approval under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Additionally, Sri Lankan areca nuts were turned away in April due to visible mold and quality defects.

Other countries have also faced scrutiny. In June, tea bags from Japan, labeled as health supplements, were rejected because they contained the ingredient ‘Rooibos,’ which is not approved in India. Similarly, fresh red apples imported from Turkey were rejected in July due to their limited shelf life. Budweiser’s non-alcoholic beer (Green Apple), originating from China, was blocked in May because of its unacceptable pH level.

Chinese sushi nori (seaweed) was also found to contain heavy metals and arsenic, leading to its rejection. These instances highlight FSSAI’s commitment to ensuring only safe and high-quality food products reach Indian consumers.

Every food item submitted for import clearance in India undergoes a stringent three-tier verification process, including documentation checks, visual inspections, and laboratory testing. Rejections commonly occur due to safety concerns, such as the presence of pesticides or heavy metals, quality issues like improper moisture or fat content, incomplete documentation, or incorrect labeling.

By actively monitoring food imports and rejecting non-compliant products, the authority aims to protect consumers from potential health hazards while fostering trust in the nation’s food supply chain.

(Input From Various Sources)

(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)