NEW DELHI: Imported food items may reach consumers faster and in better condition after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India changed its clearance process to reduce delays at ports. In a key change, FSSAI has allowed inspection and testing of imported food consignments to happen simultaneously, instead of waiting for payments at every stage, significantly cutting clearance time. At the same time, FSSAI has retained safety checks. Final clearance, including the NOC, will be granted only after all fees are paid, ensuring food safety is not compromised. Earlier, the process was sequential and time-consuming. Under the revised rules, once documents are cleared and inspection completed, samples can be drawn immediately without waiting for payment confirmation.
