Foreign Food Manufacturing Facility Registration Requirement

The Government of India has issued Instruction No. 29/2024 regarding the mandatory registration of Foreign Food Manufacturing Facilities (FFMF) as per the Food Safety and Standards (Import) First Amendment Regulations, 2021. Effective from September 1, 2024, FFMF in five specific food categories—milk and milk products, meat and meat products (including poultry, fish), egg powder, infant food, and nutraceuticals—must be registered to export these products to India. An online portal, ReFoM, has been created by FSSAI to manage and update the registration process. Facilities must be registered through the competent authority of the exporting country, which will provide necessary information to FSSAI for processing. The unique registration number (URN) is generated for each registered facility. Customs officers are instructed to ensure compliance by verifying FFMF details via the ReFoM portal for food import clearance. The registration process is continuous, with FSSAI updating the portal as new information comes in.

Instruction No. 29/2024-Customs | Dated: 14th November, 2024

F.No.401/103/2021-Cus.III
Government of India
Ministry of Finance,
Department of Revenue
(Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs)
Room no. 229A, North Block, New Delhi
********

To,
All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of Customs/Customs (Preventive)/Customs & Central Taxes.
All Principal Commissioners/Commissioners of Customs /Customs(Preventive).
All Pr. Director General/Director Generals under CBIC.

Subject: Requirement of Registration of Foreign Food Manufacturing Facilities as per Food Safety and Standards (Import) First Amendment Regulations, 2021, dated 03.11.2021 — reg.

Madam/Sir,

Reference is invited to FSSAI office Order dated 30.08.2024 issued from File No. TIC-B02/2/2022-IMPORTS-FSSAI (copy attached) on the above subject.

2. Vide above order, reference of FSSAI’s even order no. dated 10th October, 2022 and 04t^h April, 2024 has been given whereby it was notified that registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities (FFMF) falling under following five food categories, who are intended to export these food products shall be mandatory from 1^st September, 2024;

i. Milk and Milk products;

ii. Meat and Meat products including Poultry, Fish and their products;

iii. Egg powder;

iv. Infant Food;

v. Nutraceuticals

2.1 It is further stated that an online portal — `ReFoM’, available on the FSSAI website, has been created, which contains the information about the FFMF intended to export articles of the above food categories to India as provided by the Competent Authority of the exporting country. After examining the requisite information, the individual FFMF is registered, the portal is updated, and a unique registration number (URN) is generated by FSSAI for each facility registered at the `ReFoM’ portal. The same may be easily accessed from the said portal `ReFoM’ (https://sites.fssai.gov.in/refom/).

2.2 Further, it has been stated as per the FSSAI order dated 04^th April 2024, FFMF of the exporting country shall be registered, through their competent authority, to comply with the provisions from 1^st September 2024. Thereafter, the import of above said food categories will be allowed only from the registered FFMF of exporting country. Since the requirement will be enforced from the 1st September 2024, Officials involved in the Food Import Clearance are informed to ensure the compliance of office order dated 04^th April 2024 by verifying the details of the FFMF provided in the FICS from the ReFoM portal (https://sites.fssai.gov.in/refom/) as given below:-

FSSAI Home Page– ReFoM — Click here to view– Country — Status of FFMF

2.3 It has also been stated that the registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities at the FSSAI portal is a continuous process, and FSSAI will keep updating the portal based on information received from the Competent Authority of the exporting countries.

3. In this regard, it is requested that necessary action may be taken to sensitize officers under your jurisdiction regarding the said matter. Earlier Instructions No. 30/2022-Customs dated 14.11.2022 stands modified to that extent.

4. The difficulties, if any. may be brought to the notice of the Board.

Hindi version follows.

Yours faithfully,

Encls: as above.

(Neeraj Goyal)
OSD (Cus-III)
Email: [email protected]
Tele: 011 23094012

Copy to: – (for information and necessary action)

1. The Webmaster, CBIC.

File No. TIC-B02/2/2022-IMPORTS-FSSAI
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
(A Statutory Authority established under the Food Safety& Standards Act, 2006)
(Trade and International Coop e ration Division)
FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, NewDelhi-110002

Dated: The 30th August, 2024

Subject Requirement of Registration of Foreipi Food Manufacturing Facilities as per Food Safety and Standards (Import) First Amendment Regulations, 2021, dated 03.11.2021- reg.

Reference is drawn to FSSAI’s order of even no. dated 10⁰ October, 2022, and Further order dated 04th April, 2024 (copy enclosed] whereby it was notifted that registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities (FFMF) falling under following five food categories, who are intended to export these food products shall be mandatory from 1st September, 2024: –

i. Milk and Milk pro ducts;

ii. Meat and Meat products including Poultry, Fish and their products;

iii. Egg powder;

iv. Infant Food;

v. Nutraceuticals.

In this respect, an online portal- ‘ReFoM,’ available on the FSSAI website, has been created, which contains the information about the FFMF intended to export articles of the above Food categories to India as provided by the Competent Authority of the exporting country. After examining the requisite information, the individual FFMF is registered, the portal is updated, and a unique registration number(URN) is generated by FSSAI For each facility registered at the ‘ReFoM’ portal. The same may be easily accessed from the said portal ‘ReFoM’ (http://sites.fssai.gov.in/refom/).

Further, the FSSAI order dated 04th April 2024 mentioned that FFMF of the exporting country shall be registered, through their competent authority, to comply with the provisions from 1st September 2124. Thereafter, the import of above said food categories will be allowed only from the registered FFMF of exporting country. Since the requirement will be enforced from the 15¹ September 2024, Officials involved in the Food Import Clearance are informed to ensure the compliance of office order dated 04th April 2024 by verifying the details of the FFMF provided in the Ha from the ReFoM portal (http://sites.fssai.gov.in/refom/) as given below:-

Home Page → ReFoM → Click here to view → Country → Status of FFMF

It is also informed that the registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities at the FSSAI portal is a continuous process, and FSSAI will keep updating the portal based on information received from the Competent Authority of the exporting countries. Therefore, it is advised to sensitize the Officials and the Concerned Importers to comply with the requirement from 1st September 2024,

Manvesh Kurnar(IRS)
Director (TICD)

To,

1. Joint Secretary (Customs) – with a request to sensitize the concerned field officers

2. Regional Directors, FSSAI – with a request to sensitize the concerned field officers

3. Director (Customs) – with a request to sensitize the concerned field officers

4. All Authorized Officers – for compliance

File No. TIC-B02/2/2022-IMPORTS-FSSAI
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
(A Statutory Authority established under the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006)
(Trade and International Cooperation Division)
FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, NewDelhi-110002

Dated: The 04th April, 2024

ORDER

Subject: Requirement of Registration of Foreign Food Manufacturing facilities as per Food Safety and Standards (Import) First Amendment Regulations, 2021, dated 03.11.2021-reg.

Reference is drawn to FSSAI’s order of even no. dated 10th October, 2022, whereby it was notified that registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities(FFMF) falling under following five food categories, who are intended to export these food products shall be mandatory from 1st February, 2023: –

i. Milk and Milk pro ducts;

ii. Meat and Meat products including Poultry, Fish and their products;

iii. Egg powder;

iv. Infant Food;

v. Nutraceuticals.

For the registration purpose, it has been decided that information regarding facilities shall be provided by the Competent Authority of the exporting countries and data will be managed and maintained by FSSAI. Accordingly, an online portal- ‘ReFoM’ available at FSSAI website has been created, which contains the detailed information of the FFMF intended to export articles of above food categories to India as provided by the Competent Authority of the exporting country. After examining the requisite information, the individual FFMF is registered and the portal is updated. Accordingly, a unique registration number(URN) is generated by FSSAI for each facility registered at ‘ReFoM’. The same may be easily access from the said portal ‘ReFoM’ (https://sites.fssai.gov.in/refom/)

This office is in receipt of communications from various stakeholders seeking extension of transition period for the registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities to avoid disruption in export. Considering the request from the stakeholders, the import of articles of above said food categories to India shall be allowed till 31.08.2024 from both registered and non-registered foreign food manufacturing facilities.

It is again apprised that stakeholders may ensure that the requisite information pertaining to un-registered foreign food manufacturing facilities who intend to export the above mentioned food categories to India, should be shared through the Competent

Authority of the respective country with FSSAI via an e-mail at [email protected]. The requisite information should be shared at least 30 days in advance from the shipment of the cargo as per the format annexed with an order dated 10.10.2022(copy attached).

The registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities at FSSAI portal is a continuous process and FSSAI will keep updating the portal based on information received from the Competent Authority of the exporting countries and the due examination thereof. In view of this, stakeholders are encouraged to register or update their facility well in advance at FSSAI online portal `ReFoM’ through the Competent Authority before exporting articles of above said food categories to India to avoid disruption in trade.

This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.

Manvesh Kurnar(IRS)
Director (TICD)

To,

All Authorized Officers of FSSAI & Customs for information and compliance.

F.No. TIC-B02/2/2022-IMPORTS-FSSAI
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
(A Statuary Authority established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006)
(Trade & International Cooperation Division)
FDA Bhawan, Kotla Road, New Delhi-110002

Dated: The 10th October, 2022

ORDER

Subject: – Requirement of Registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities as per Food Safety and Standards (Import) First Amendment Regulations, 2021 dated 03.11.2021 -reg.

In exercise of the provisions of Food Safety and Standards (Import) First Amendment Regulations, 2021, it has been decided that registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities falling under following food categories, who are intended to export these food products shall be mandatory: –

i. Milk and Milk pro ducts;

ii. Meat and Meat products including Poultry, Fish and their products;

iii. Egg powder;

iv. Infant Food;

v. Nutraceuticals.

In view of the above, the Competent Authorities of all the exporting countries are requested to provide the list of existing manufacturers and of those who are intended to export such food products to India as per the format attached at email id: [email protected] and [email protected] . Based on the list provided by the Competent Authority of exporting country, the registration of such facilities will be done by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India at its portal.

This order will be effective from 1st February, 2023. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.

(Dr. Amit Sharma)
Director (Trade and IC)

To,

1) All Authorized Officers -for compliance.

2) Additional Director General, Risk Management Division, Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBIC).

3) Director, Customs-for circulating to all officials of Customs who has been nominated as Authorized Officers.

Format for Registration of foreign food manufacturing facilities

Date ……………………………………………………..
Place ……………………………………………………..

Signatures and seal of authorized signatory
Name and address………………………..