The Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in its press release dated March 31, 2020 has classified the import clearance of food items and functioning of notified food testing labs (including National Food Labs) as Essential Services during the COVID-19.
The FSSAI has further directed that all personnel who are in charge of import clearance of food items and functioning of notified food testing labs are required to be available in office on all working days from Monday to Friday between 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, so that smoother operation of trade and related services will be ensured in this situation of crisis.
The notification further states that FSSAI has its Offices at 6 locations namely Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin and Tuticorin and 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.
FSSAI has also ensured that it is keeping a close watch on the pandemic situation and would 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 during this pandemic situation in the country.
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