Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Excise & Customs
229-A, North Block,
New Delhi, dated 8th June, 2011.
To
All Chief Commissioners of Customs.
All Chief Commissioners of Customs & Central Excise.
All Commissioners of Customs.
All Commissioners of Customs (Export).
All Commissioners of Customs / Central Excise (Prev.).
Subject: Monitoring of fresh Fruit and Vegetable Import from Europe for E.Colli
bacterial contamination - regarding
Sir / Madam,
Following the recent detection of many cases of E.Colli bacterial outbreak due
to contamination of fresh Fruits and Vegetables in European countries like
Germany, Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Russia and the U.K, there is a need to increase surveillance of fresh Fruit and
Vegetable imports into India from Europe to ensure that they are safe for
consumption.
- Accordingly, it has been decided, as precautionary measure, that Food Safety
and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) would test samples of fresh Fruits and
Vegetables consignments imported from Europe into India for E.Colli bacteria.
FSSAI has directed their Authorised Officers to have the food articles tested
for E.Colli bacterial contamination before issuing ‘No Objection Certificate’ to
Customs.
- In view of the above, it is directed that all officers in charge of Ports,
Airports, ICDs / CFSs, Land Customs Stations should ensure that clearance of
such fresh Fruits and Vegetables imported from Europe is allowed only after
complying with the above requirements and obtaining ‘No Objection Certificate’
from FSSAI.
- A suitable Public Notice and Standing Order may be issued for the guidance of
the trade and staff.
- Difficulties faced, if any, in implementation of these instructions may
please be brought to the notice of the Board.
Yours faithfully,
(G.S. Sinha)
OSD (Customs IV)
Internal Circulation- as usual
F.No. 450/60/2011-Cus. IV