By Ankush Chibber, 21-Feb-2012
Indian food importers have got some respite from the bureaucratic muddle that is importing food products in the country thanks to a new payment system set up by the country’s apex food safety body.
On February 15, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) launched the long awaited and much needed online payment system for food importers for the processing of their payments towards clearances.
In stealth mode since late December, from when only some importers were piloting the system, the new system is aimed at reducing the time and effort towards getting food consignments tested and cleared for sale in the country.
A spokesperson for the FSSAI told FoodNavigator-Asia that the relevant agencies, for example the Central Board of Excise and Customs, has been informed in this regard by the authority of the new system.
“The online payment system would provide an effective and quick way for food importers to make payments for lab analysis,” he said, adding that the former methods of cash and cheque payments were fraught with delays and corruption.
To use the payment system however, importers would have to go through some documentation. “They would need to fill a form and provide documents in support of the food sample testing, which when cleared by the FSSAI would allow the importer to use the payment system.”
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