1. Controlled and Prohibited Goods
Director General of Foreign Trade of India has published the import prohibited and restricted goods in India in its website. The import prohibited goods cannot be imported into India. Some import prohibited goods can be imported into India if it maintains the conditions mentioned in the policy. The list of import prohibited goods ca be found in the link: Import Prohibited Goods.
Some products are restricted to import into India if not licensed or authorized by Director General of Foreign Trade of India. Imported restricted goods can be found in the link: Import Restricted Goods.
The list of import prohibited and restricted goods is dynamic and updated time to time. To find the latest list, visit the website: Import Restricted Goods in India.
(a) The importer has to obtain license from Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) for import live animals as per EXIM Policy.
(b) According to Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations 2011, a license from Food Safety and Standards Authority in India is required for all importers importing food items including food ingredients and additives for commercial use. Schedule 1 of the regulation listed the food businesses which require license from Food Safety and Standards Authority in India. The regulation can be found in the link: Food Safety and Standards Authority in India.
(c) To import animals and animal products, pre-import no objection is required from the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries and need to fulfil the quarantine and animal health certificate requirement at the time of import.
The procedure of import any live animals to India can be found here: Standard Operating Procedure for Import of animals to India.
The procedure for importation of dairy items to India can be found here: Procedure for import of dairy items to India.
The procedure for importation of restricted animals and animal products to India can be found here: Procedure for import of animals and animal products under restricted list.
3. Food Standard and Regulation
(a) Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) of Pesticides
Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011 sets out the maximum level of pesticides residues permitted in animal products. To get the update of the regulation, visit the website: Food Safety and Standards Authority in India
(b) Contaminants and Toxins
Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011 sets out the maximum level of contaminants and toxins permitted in animal products. To get the update of the regulation, visit the website: Food Safety and Standards Authority in India
(c) Microorganism
Appendix “B” of Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 sets out the maximum level of microorganism permitted in animal products. To get the update of the regulation, visit the website: Food Safety and Standards Authority in India
(d) Product Standards
Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 sets out product standards for animal products, including dairy products and analogues, animal fats and oils, meat and meat products, honey and others. To get the update of the regulation, visit the website: Food Safety and Standards Authority in India
(e) Labelling and packaging requirements
Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulation, 2018 sets out the general requirements of packaging materials for food products. Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 sets out the labelling requirements for pre-packed products. Article 6 of Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017 sets out the standards for packaging and labelling requirements for imported foods. Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claiming) Regulations, 2018 sets out the requirements for claims, including nutrition claim, health claim, prohibited claim. To get update of the regulations, visit the website: Food Safety and Standards Authority in India