Food Import from Japan - Board's instruction for monitoring of radio active contamination
DUE to the recent earthquake in Japan and concerns of possible radiation leakage from the affected nuclear plants, CBEC is of the view that there is a need to increase surveillance of food imports from Japan to ensure that they are safe for consumption.
It has been decided that Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) would test samples of food articles, particularly fresh produce such as sea food, fruits, vegetables and meat exported from Japan after March 11, 2011, for radioactive contamination. FSSAI has directed their Authorised Officers to have the food articles tested for radioactive contamination from BRIT (Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology), Navi Mumbai before issuing ‘No Objection Certificate' to Customs.
In view of this, CBEC has directed all officers in charge of Ports, Airports, ICDs / CFSs, Land Customs Stations to ensure that clearance of such food items imported from Japan after 11.3.2011 is allowed only after complying with the above requirements and obtaining ‘No Objection Certificate' from FSSAI.
F.No. Dated March 17, 2011