Attention all Importers: “Food Import Clearance has been notified as essential service during lockdown due to Covid-19. Therefore, all FSSAI Food Import Offices are open and functioning on every working day from 9:30 AM to 6:00 P.M”
Section 25 of the Food Safety & Standard Act, 2006, stipulates that all imports of articles of food are subject to the provisions of the Act. The procedure and requirements for import of food articles are regulated by FSS (Import) Regulations, 2017. 
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FSSAI has its Authorised Officers covering 53 points of entries for ensuring compliance to the provisions of FSSA Act, 2006 and Regulations made thereunder. Further, there are another 97 points of entry throughout the country where Customs officials have been notified as Authorised Officers by FSSAI.
FSSAI has an online system for clearance of food imports, Food Import Clearance System (FICS) 
which is seamlessly integrated with the Customs ICE-GATE (Indian Customs Electronic Commerce/Electronic Data interchange (EC/EDI) Gateway) under SWIFT (Single Window Interface for Facilitating Trade). Selective sampling & testing of food articles on the basis of risk profiling done by FSSAI is implemented at the Customs ICEGATE.
The food articles when referred to FSSAI for clearance by the Customs Authorities are subjected to scrutiny of documents, visual inspection, sampling and testing in order to determine whether or not they conform to the safety and quality standards established and laid down under various Food Safety and Standards Regulations. If sample is found conforming then No Objection Certificate (NOC) is generated and if not conforming, then Non-Conforming Report (NCR) is generated.
Resources:
Manual for Food Import Clearance System (FICS)
Frequently Asked Questions on Food Import Clearance System (FICS) for Importers
To know process click here
Appeal on Rejection (Review Process):
Importer can file review application with grounds of appeal in Form-6 to Director (Imports) against Non-Conforming Report issued by Authorised Officer. If Importer is not satisfied with the decision of first review, then he can file second review application with grounds of appeal in Form-6 of FSS (Import) Regulations, 2017 to CEO, FSSAI.
Resources:
Manual for Food Import Clearance System (FICS)
Frequently Asked Questions on Food Import Clearance System (FICS) for Importers
