FSSAI draft norms for food importers likely by Dec-end

The country's apex food regulator is expected to come out with draft norms for food importers by the end of this month.

The view within Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is that food imports be regulated the way domestic food business operators are. The draft norms will require food importers to indemnify consumers through third-party insurance if consuming the products concerned cause health problems.

Importers will also have to present a certificate showing the usage history of the goods in the country of origin. The draft will also mandate that all containers storing food items adhere to international standards.

Some packaged food makers have welcomed the move, saying it was high time importers and domestic food business operators were treated at par. Food importers are expected to make representations against these. Their view would be that such rules would needlessly tie them down and result in harassment. "Standard operating procedures are a must but this is going a bit too far. It is not as if we were operating under no rules and regulations," a city-based importer said.

The FSSAI has halted consignments of Starbucks and other packaged goods makers, saying that had not followed the prescribed norms.