Request a Demo1. Competent authority
Competent authority | Responsibility |
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) |
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Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) |
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Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) |
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2. Market access approval
2.1 FSSAI license
No person shall commence any food business unless the person possesses a valid license. All importers importing food items including food ingredients and additives for commercial use to India are under the purview of Central Licensing Authority appointed by the FSSAI. For more detailed licensing requirements, please refer to Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation 2011.
2.2 Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) Registration
An Importer -Exporter Code (IEC), issued by DGFT, is a key business identification number which is mandatory for import to India. No person shall make any import except under an IEC Number. A Permanent Account Number (PAN) is a mandatory document required for IEC registration.
2.3 Mandatory Registration of Foreign Food Manufacturers
Foreign food manufacturing facilities of certain food categories, such as milk and milk products, are required to register with FSSAI before being exported to India. These facilities must submit, either directly or through an authorized representative, their registration application along with the necessary documents and fees as specified by the Food Authority. The facilities are registered in the FSSAI ReFoM website.
2.4 Integrated Veterinary Health Certificate (VHS)
The integrated veterinary health certificate (VHS), which incorporates the DAHD’s sanitary requirements and FSSAI’ food safety requirements, are mandatory for the import of milk and milk products into India. The integrated VHS needs to be certified by the exporting country's authority for consignments being exported to India.
2.5 Sanitary Import Permits (SIPs)
The import of livestock products, including milk and milk products, is subject to Sanitary Import Permits (SIPs), issued by the DAHD. SIPs must be obtained prior to shipping from the country of origin. The DAHD issues SIPs for livestock products based on the import risk analysis of the livestock products.
2.6 Designated Ports-of-Entry
Certain high-risk food products, including milk and milk products, shall be imported through designated ports-of-entry.
2.7 Inspection and sampling
The inspection begins once the Authorized Officer schedules an appointment, provided all necessary information is submitted. During the inspection, if the consignment meets all requirements, including labeling and packaging, samples will be drawn. The sampling is based on the Risk Management System (RMS) implemented by the Customs in consultation with the FSSAI. High-risk food items, including dairy products like milk powders, condensed milk, milk cereal base weaning foods and infant milk food, are subject to higher sampling rates.
3. Product compliance
3.1 Product requirements
Dairy products in India must comply with the product requirements as shown in the table below:
Items | Provisions |
Product standards and food additives | Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2022 |
Contaminants, toxins, antibiotics and pesticide residues | Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulation, 2011 |
3.2 Label
Dairy products should follow the labeling requirements in the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020. Food businesses should check Legal Metrology Act, 2009 and Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 for the labeling item of consumer care details. Importers should also check Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017 for the labeling requirements for imported food products.
In addition to the general labeling items such as name of food, list of ingredients, and nutrition information, food businesses should pay attention to specific requirements for dairy products. For instance, all milk powders, skimmed milk powders and condensed milk (sweetened and flavoured) or similar products, which can be reconstituted into liquid milk, shall carry the following declaration on label: NOT TO BE USED FOR INFANTS BELOW SIX MONTHS. For more details, please refer to ChemLinked FoodCheck on Labeling.
* Global Food Compliance Service
We provide various market entry services to help stakeholders better understand exporting requirements, establish business, and secure a competitive place to facilitate trade development.
Covered Countries
China, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, United States, European Union, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
Our Services
Food Ingredient Review
Label Review
Product Registration
Regulatory Consultation
Monitoring, Training and Customized report
Please feel free to contact us via food@chemlinked.com if you need any help.
