The labelling of imported foods continues to be a cause for concern for food importers and restaurants that are dependent on imported raw material for their fare.
This has forced the proprietors of several restaurants to hike their prices by 30-40 per cent. Many importers, who have been grappling with delays in getting the raw material, have shut shop.
Several lots of food items are stuck at various entry points due to the inadequacy of information about the material [as mandated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)].
Sources in the industry informed that about 400 containers, estimated to be worth approximately Rs 700-800 crore, have been held up at the entry points, which include airports.
They contain potato pellets, pulses, processed foods, biscuits, frozen foods (including seafood), vegetables, herbs, cheese, meat and sauces. But importers have stopped importing chocolates.
The norms require makers of packaged food items to list the contents in English, the ingredients used and their nutritional values, and the producer’s name, address and country of origin.
All the information should be mentioned in the format prescribed by the country’s apex food regulator.
FSSAI has been conducting 100 per cent sampling and mandated the approval of the foods being imported. The Indian regulator’s approval could take between six months and a year.
Industry experts opined that this could have been done to discourage imports to save dollars, given the economic situation (the fiscal deficit).
Importers
Amit Lohani, convener, Forum of Indian Food Importers (FIFI), said that despite several representations by them, the issue remained unresolved.
“We represent about 400 importers. Of these, about 17 importers have shut down their businesses,” he informed, suggesting that the norms be set on the basis of risk-based analysis.
“The average duty levied on food imports is 50-60 per cent. And the detention is hampering our trade. This has forced us to consider a new business,” he stated.
Restaurateurs
Vikrant Batra, co-owner, Café Delhi Heights, said the issue has been persisting for a while, and since some ingredients couldn’t be substituted with Indian alternatives, it was getting difficult.
“In the last three to four months, the prices of imported raw food materials has gone up by 30-40 per cent due to the fluctuating dollar prices and shortages of ingredients,” he added.
“The prices also have risen due to delays. We offer worldwide cuisines, and to give authentic tastes, we have to rely on such imported raw materials,” Batra said.
“We cannot hike the prices, or compromise on the quality. We use herbs, vegetables, cheeses and meats to make the dishes authentic, as we cater primarily to tourists,” he added.
“It is difficult to get the ingredients of a similar quality in India to substitute the imported ones,” Batra said.
It is not only the restaurant and café chains, but the hospitality sector, as a whole, which is grappling with this problem.
“Supply is short, and people are selling food at rates as exorbitant as 3-4 times their regular prices,” stated Devendra Kumar, vice-president, FnB production, Le Meridian New Delhi.
He added, “If we have to prepare an authentic French or Japanese dish, we need imported ingredients.”
“Some sauces, condiments, lamb and fish are not available as per demand. There is shortage of high-quality fish, such as salmon,” Kumar said.
“We know there are regulations that need to be complied with. However, the traders should be imparted with information about them,” he added.
“There are differences in regulatory requirement in different countries. It is in the interest of everyone that the regulations be framed based on feasibility,” Kumar stated.
“And people should be given some time to comply with the norms as it affects the operations,” he added.
Experts expected the problem, which has arisen due to a communication gap, to be sorted out in the next couple of months.
Anil Bhandari, hospitality consultant, stated, “There was a communication gap between the importers and the FSSAI. Moreover, there was a shortage of proper storage facilities at airports.”
“And some traders thought they could get away with this. We expect the situation to be back to normal in the next 45-60 days,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that importers and the FSSAI were in talks, and some issues regarding the labelling norms were said to have been resolved.
The importers were of the opinion that the regulator should clarify some regulations and give them some time to implement the norms.
Labelling requirements as per Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011
The labelling language should be English
The names, trade names and descriptions of the food items should be mentioned on the package
The names of the ingredients used in them should be in descending order of their composition weight or volume, as the case may be
Vegetarian or non-vegetarian should be declared by affixing the symbol for vegetarian or non-vegetarian
The package should contain the name and address of the manufacturer and the manufacturing unit
In cases where food articles are imported into India, it should contain the name and address of the importer in India
It should mention the net weight, number or measure of volume of contents
The label should mention the batch number, lot number or code number
It should specify the month and year in which the commodity was manufactured or prepared
The best before date should be printed on the label (It could also be expressed in terms of number of months before the best before date)
It should specify the nutritional information per 100g or 100ml of each serving of the product.
The Food Safety and Standards Regulations (FSSR), 2011, states that vegetable fats are not permitted in chocolate. The label must specify this.
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