Import of food articles including vegetable oil – Only PFA approved imports to be allowed.
Recently the Gujarat High Court has asked the CBEC to take a policy decision in consultation with the concerned Ministry as to in what circumstances the re-processing should be allowed if the goods are not found upto the mark as per laid down norms. Board notes that a circular had already been issued (58/2001) which provided that all the consignments of edible/food products which fail PHO testing shall be re-exported or destroyed. This instruction continues to be in force. However, it appears that in certain cases where the imported goods failed PFA testing, jurisdictional Commissioners have allowed re-processing. Such permission should not have been allowed by the Commissioners suo motto.
So Board reiterates that only the consignments of edible/food products which conform to the provisions of Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 and rules made there under should be allowed to be imported into India.
Board, of course does not say what would happen to Commissioners who would flout these instructions as they did the 2001 circular.
CIRCULAR NO. , Dated: November 6, 2006