The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (“FSSAI”) had earlier directed an extension on the ban on import of milk and milk products, including chocolates and chocolate products and candies/confectionary/food preparations with milk and milk solids as ingredients from China till December 23,2018. The FSSAI has, in a Notification dated 21st December, 2018, announced that the existing ban has further been extended for a period of four months, up to 23rd April, 2019 or until further orders in this regard.
Background
On 24th September, 2008, the Government of India (Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry) had imposed a ban on the import of milk and milk products from China for a period of three months as an interim step to enable other Departments to put in place suitable measures to restrict import of contaminated milk products in the country. The ban was later extended up to 23rd June, 2009 and under its purview, import of chocolates and chocolate products and candies / confectionary / food preparations with milk and milk solids as an ingredient were also included.
Thereafter the ban was extended from time to time, the last one dated 22nd June, 2018 extended it up to 23rd December, 2019. The issue was then reviewed in a meeting held at FSSAI on 6th December, 2018 with the concerned Departments / Ministries of the Government of India where it was recommended that the ban should be extended until the capacity of all notified laboratories at ports of entry across India have been suitably upgraded for testing melamine. Accordingly, the ban has been extended up to 23rd April, 2019.
Source: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
