Import Clearance and Food Testing Labs classified as Essential Services by FSSAI during the COVID-19

New Delhi, March 31, 2020: 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.

All personnel who are assigned the charge of above essential services are required to be available in office on all working days from Monday to Friday between 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM in order to facilitate the trade as well as ensure smoother operation of related services across the country.

FSSAI has its Offices at 6 locations namely Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin andTuticorinand 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 contactFSSAI’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.