India: India - Clarifications on the FSSAI Genetically Modified-Free Certificate Order for Imported Food Products
On February 8, 2021, the Government of India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) clarified that the implementation of the requirement for a Genetically Modified-Free Certificate for imported food products will apply to all consignments with a bill of lading dated March 1, 2021, and or after. The clarification further informs stakeholders about the permissible tolerance limit for the adventitious presence of genetically modified organisms (i.e., genetically engineered) at one percent. Earlier in its order of August 21, 2020, the FSSAI listed 24 food crops in Annexure 1 that are subject to this requirement.