The
regulatory agency refused entry to several imported packaged food
products citing labelling requirements that came into force in 2011
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has put its foot down and said “labeling requirements will not be relaxed” for any packaged food supplier as these are very “sensitive” products. It also maintained that the law mandates printed or inseparable labeling on such products.
“The law of the land is valid for everyone - for domestic suppliers as well as importers – and all are expected to follow it. A regulator’s duty is to implement the law and not violate it…Food is so sensitive and there is no question of relaxing the labeling requirements for pre-packaged food products,” FSSAI Chief Executive Officer Dillip Kumar Samantaray told Business Standard.
The food regulator’s comments comes in the wake of several containers of packaged food products carrying imported chocolates, crispies, gourmet cheese, olive oil, biscuits, noodles, pasta, jams, honey, oats and sauces etc being blocked at various ports and airports across the country in the absence of a clearance from FSSAI. The regulatory agency, which supervises import of food items to ensure quality, refused permission to these products citing labelling requirements as per the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 that came into force in 2011.
According to Samantaray, these products were refused permission during visual inspection conducted to primarily check the labeling requirements etc. He said most of these products were carrying stickers with various information, whereas stickers are allowed to differentiate between vegetarian and non-vegetarian products, and to specify the name and address of the importer. “The law of the land requires all other information to be printed on the pack,” Samantaray insisted.
He said that food is a sensitive commodity and especially products like jams and chocolates are mostly consumed by children and therefore quality and specifications cannot be compromised by any means. “Law should be equal for everyone. Even if domestic manufacturers export products to other countries, they are required to abide by the law of that country. Then why should India not ensure health of its citizens,” Samantaray said.
When asked why the sudden stringency of regulations while these products with such stickers have been available in Indian markets for a long time, the regulator said, “India before 1947 was colonial, so should we continue to be like that even now”. He also clarified that products have been barred from entry earlier in the past two years as well, since the Authority has come into power in 2010-11.
However, Oct-December being the festival season, the blocking of consignments may have impacted the business more than usual. Government sources indicate that packaged foods worth over Rs 750-1,000 crore were stuck at various ports and airports across the country.
Importers, irked by the lacklustre Diwali sales, say that if the issue is not sorted out soon, it could impact business during Christmas and New Year too. Almost 50-55 per cent of packaged food imports in India happen during the festive season, since it is utilised mainly for gifting purposes besides consumption.
Amit Lohani, convenor, Forum of Indian Food Importers, says FIFI has already made numerous representations to FSSAI in a bid to resolve the issue. "On October 31, FSSAI came out with a notification agreeing to one of our demands, which is to allow the food safety logo on a sticker. This is with immediate effect," Lohani, who imports Danish cookies, meats, beer and coffee among other products, said.
Samantray confirmed that FSSAI has received representations from various companies as well as industry bodies and has also responded to them explaining its stand.
Sources pointed out that some countries backing the importers have also approached the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Health.
Says Saloni Nangia, president, Technopak Advisors; "The FSSAI's move to enforce labeling standards is a step in the right direction. India for long has been a dumping ground for products that are well past their sell-by-date. At least now there will be some accountability. Product quality is compromised with the use of stickers. FSSAI is attempting to stop that."
“The law of the land is valid for everyone - for domestic suppliers as well as importers – and all are expected to follow it. A regulator’s duty is to implement the law and not violate it…Food is so sensitive and there is no question of relaxing the labeling requirements for pre-packaged food products,” FSSAI Chief Executive Officer Dillip Kumar Samantaray told Business Standard.
The food regulator’s comments comes in the wake of several containers of packaged food products carrying imported chocolates, crispies, gourmet cheese, olive oil, biscuits, noodles, pasta, jams, honey, oats and sauces etc being blocked at various ports and airports across the country in the absence of a clearance from FSSAI. The regulatory agency, which supervises import of food items to ensure quality, refused permission to these products citing labelling requirements as per the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 that came into force in 2011.
According to Samantaray, these products were refused permission during visual inspection conducted to primarily check the labeling requirements etc. He said most of these products were carrying stickers with various information, whereas stickers are allowed to differentiate between vegetarian and non-vegetarian products, and to specify the name and address of the importer. “The law of the land requires all other information to be printed on the pack,” Samantaray insisted.
He said that food is a sensitive commodity and especially products like jams and chocolates are mostly consumed by children and therefore quality and specifications cannot be compromised by any means. “Law should be equal for everyone. Even if domestic manufacturers export products to other countries, they are required to abide by the law of that country. Then why should India not ensure health of its citizens,” Samantaray said.
When asked why the sudden stringency of regulations while these products with such stickers have been available in Indian markets for a long time, the regulator said, “India before 1947 was colonial, so should we continue to be like that even now”. He also clarified that products have been barred from entry earlier in the past two years as well, since the Authority has come into power in 2010-11.
However, Oct-December being the festival season, the blocking of consignments may have impacted the business more than usual. Government sources indicate that packaged foods worth over Rs 750-1,000 crore were stuck at various ports and airports across the country.
Importers, irked by the lacklustre Diwali sales, say that if the issue is not sorted out soon, it could impact business during Christmas and New Year too. Almost 50-55 per cent of packaged food imports in India happen during the festive season, since it is utilised mainly for gifting purposes besides consumption.
Amit Lohani, convenor, Forum of Indian Food Importers, says FIFI has already made numerous representations to FSSAI in a bid to resolve the issue. "On October 31, FSSAI came out with a notification agreeing to one of our demands, which is to allow the food safety logo on a sticker. This is with immediate effect," Lohani, who imports Danish cookies, meats, beer and coffee among other products, said.
Samantray confirmed that FSSAI has received representations from various companies as well as industry bodies and has also responded to them explaining its stand.
Sources pointed out that some countries backing the importers have also approached the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Health.
Says Saloni Nangia, president, Technopak Advisors; "The FSSAI's move to enforce labeling standards is a step in the right direction. India for long has been a dumping ground for products that are well past their sell-by-date. At least now there will be some accountability. Product quality is compromised with the use of stickers. FSSAI is attempting to stop that."
A BAD TASTE IN THE MOUTH
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s CEO has said as food is a very sensitive product, there is no question of relaxing labelling requirements for pre-packaged food
- Asked about the sudden stringency of regulations, the regulator said that India, before 1947, was colonial but the old norms couldn’t continue now
- Government sources indicate that packaged foods worth Rs 750-1,000 crore were stuck at various ports and airports across the country
- October-December being the festival season, the blocking of consignments impacted the business more than usual
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s CEO has said as food is a very sensitive product, there is no question of relaxing labelling requirements for pre-packaged food
- Asked about the sudden stringency of regulations, the regulator said that India, before 1947, was colonial but the old norms couldn’t continue now
- Government sources indicate that packaged foods worth Rs 750-1,000 crore were stuck at various ports and airports across the country
- October-December being the festival season, the blocking of consignments impacted the business more than usual
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