Recently, the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a new online portal Food Import Rejection Alert (FIRA). This tool allows the FSSAI to notify food safety stakeholders worldwide of rejected food imports, which enhances transparency, traceability, and swift communication regarding food safety concerns.
As the FIRA portal can make information on rejected food consignments more accessible, it helps prevent health risks before they escalate. Recent updates show that several consignments from countries such as China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Japan, and Turkey have been rejected for failing to meet India’s food safety standards. These rejections span a variety of products, including apples, nuts, alcoholic beverages, and sushi, all flagged due to concerns over safety, quality, or compliance with FSSAI regulations.
The rejections published on the FIRA portal highlight the importance of adhering to food safety requirements to avoid shipment delays and additional costs.
Here is a summary of the food rejections posted on the FIRA platform:
Product Name | Product Category | Country of Origin | Reason for Rejection | Date of Rejection |
Fresh apple red delicious | Fruits and vegetables products | Turkey | Balance shelf life is not sufficient. | July 31, 2024 |
Budweiser 0.0 (non alcoholic beer) (green apple) | Alcoholic beverages, non alcoholic beverages including water | China | The pH value is less than the prescribed limit for Alcohol-free Beer. | May 31, 2024 |
(Tea bag) SH 10P | Health supplements, nutraceuticals | Japan | Prior product approval is required, as “Rooibos” is not listed as a permitted plant/botanical ingredient. | June 25, 2024 |
(Tea bag) SH 50P | Health supplements, nutraceuticals | Japan | Prior product approval is required as “Rooibos” is not listed as a permitted plant/botanical ingredient. | June 25, 2024 |
(Tea bag) SH 20P | Health supplements, nutraceuticals | Japan | Prior product approval is required as “Rooibos” is not listed as a permitted plant/botanical ingredient | June 25, 2024 |
Cinnamon flower bud (dry) | Spices and condiments | Sri Lanka | Prior product approval is required. | May 24, 2024 |
Sri Lankan arecanut | Fruits & vegetables products | Sri Lanka | Visible mould presents; Nuts are damaged by moulds and insects; Nuts are blemished/cracked, broken, and not fully dehusked. | April 22, 2024 |
Arecanut (betelnut) whole | Fruits & vegetables products | Bangladesh | Nuts are damaged by moulds and insects; Moisture (%) exceeds the prescribed limits. | February 20, 2024 |
Sushi nori | Proprietary food | China | Heavy Metal - Arsenic presents | May 6, 2024 |