S. No.

Compliance Requirement

Responsible Person/Authority

Timeline / Key Point

1.

Ensure that samples of imported food forwarded by the Authorised Officer are analysed by a laboratory notified by the Food Authority.

Notified Laboratory

As required

2.

Pay the prescribed laboratory analysis fee for analysis by the notified/referral laboratory.

Food Importer

Fee as specified by Food Authority from time to time

3.

Forward the first part of the sample to a Food Analyst of a laboratory notified under Section 43(1) of the Act and the applicable Laboratory and Sample Analysis Regulations.

Authorised Officer

For initial analysis

4.

Immediately conduct a preliminary inspection of the received sample to verify the availability of required information and adequacy of sample quantity.

Notified/Referral Laboratory

Immediately upon receipt

5.

Inform the Authorised Officer immediately if any required information or sufficient sample quantity is missing.

Notified/Referral Laboratory

Immediately

6.

Conduct testing using the test methods and equipment specified by the Food Authority for the relevant food category.

Notified/Referral Laboratory

During analysis

7.

Where no test method is specified by the Food Authority, follow applicable specifications of Codex Alimentarius Commission, ISO, or DGHS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Notified/Referral Laboratory

Where applicable

8.

Inform the Food Authority before introducing any new test, testing method or equipment for a particular food sample.

Notified/Referral Laboratory

Prior to use

9.

Do not commence use of any new test, method or equipment unless permission is obtained from the Food Authority.

Notified/Referral Laboratory

Mandatory prior approval

10.

Issue the laboratory analysis report in Form-2, duly signed by the Food Analyst.

Notified/Referral Laboratory

Within 5 days from receipt of sample

11.

If the importer receives a non-conformance report, an appeal may be filed against the notified laboratory's result.

Food Importer

Within 15 days of receipt of non-conformance report

12.

Upon appeal, forward the second part of the sample to the specified referral laboratory notified under Section 43(2) of the Act.

Authorised Officer

Upon appeal

13.

Where analysis detects contaminants or microbiological organisms that may pose a serious hazard to consumer safety/health, immediately inform the Authorised Officer.

Food Analyst

Immediately

14.

Where there are sufficient grounds to believe that the consignment poses a serious hazard, the Authorised Officer may suo motu refer the second sample to the referral laboratory for confirmation.

Authorised Officer

Where serious hazard is suspected

15.

Immediately inform the Food Authority whenever such suo motu retesting is undertaken.

Authorised Officer

Immediately

16.

If samples are found to be hazardous, destroy them following the specified procedure and applicable biohazard guidelines.

Concerned Authority

As directed

17.

Destroy or re-export the entire imported food consignment to the country of manufacture/origin when directed by the Food Authority.

Food Importer

Within 30 days of direction

18.

Failure to destroy/re-export hazardous imported food within the prescribed period results in the importer's licence being deemed cancelled.

Food Importer

After expiry of 30-day period