India: India - The FSSAI Updates Rectifiable Labeling Information for Imported Food Products

On November 28, 2023, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare/Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published Order F. No: TIC-B02/3/2023-IMPORTS-FSSAI. This FSSAI order allows for the rectification of all non-compliant labels on imported food consignments at the port-of-entry. This can now be accomplished by affixing a single, non-detachable sticker, or by any other non-detachable method within the confines of an India Central Board of Excise and Customs (Customs) bonded warehouse before the visual inspection, or the re-inspection, by the FSSAI authorities. The list of permissible rectification label components, however, excludes: (i) Lot number/Code number/Batch identification, (ii) Date marking (“Date of manufacture or packaging” and “Expiry/Use by/Best before”), and (iii) Country of origin for imported foods. These labeling components cannot be changed, altered, modified, or rectified and should be on the label of the imported food product when it arrives at the Indian port.