Notification/Circular No. – File No: TIC/1/2024-IMPORTS-FSSAI dated May 19, 2025
Applicable Act/Rule – Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
To facilitate smoother trade and regulatory cooperation, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has signed an agreement with the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) on March 21, 2024, at Thimphu. The agreement formally recognises BFDA’s regulatory oversight of food business operators in Bhutan as equivalent to that of FSSAI, streamlining import processes for food consignments originating from Bhutan.
Under the implemented agreement, food consignments imported from Bhutanese manufacturers (whose establishments are listed in the approved list of 117 entities) will be eligible for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from FSSAI, provided they are accompanied by a Health Certificate issued by the BFDA’s competent authority.
This Health Certificate serves as proof of compliance with FSSAI’s food safety requirements and includes verification of manufacturing practices, hygiene standards, residue limits, and additive usage as per Indian regulations.
All FSSAI regional directors, authorised officers, and customs personnel are instructed to ensure compliance.
The order includes the following enclosures:
The directive has been issued with immediate effect and is intended to simplify regulatory procedures while maintaining safety standards for imports from Bhutan.
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