The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory extending the ban on imports of dairy products from China, first instituted in September 2008, due to melamine contamination.

“Ban on import of milk and milk products, including chocolates and chocolate products, and candies/confectionaries/food preparations with milk and milk solids as ingredients from China may be extended for a period of one year i.e. up to June 23, 2016, unless the safety risk assessment is undertaken based on availability of credible reports and supporting data in respect of the said products, whichever is earlier,” said the advisory order signed by FSSAI Director RC Sharma.

Queries for review The subject came up during an FSSAI meeting with officials from the Commerce Ministry, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, External Affairs Ministry, Agriculture Ministry and others held on June 18.

FSSAI CEO YS Malik, according to the order, had put forward queries to the representatives for a review of the matter, which included whether a representation had been made by China to reconsider the ban, whether the Food Authority had sufficient data to reassess safety risks identified when the ban was first put in place and corrective action taken.

Dairy sector officials present stated that China had to provide credible information without which the ban should not be revisited keeping in mind “critically sensitive target consumer groups” like infants.

Government officials highlighted that there was no scientific basis to remove the ban.

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