Question : IMPORT OF FOOD ITEMS

(a) whether the Government has banned the import of certain consumer/food items from China recently; and

(b) if so, the details thereof, and the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI ANAND SHARMA)

a) & b): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) AND (b) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 253 FOR ANSWER ON 7TH DECEMBER 2009 REGARDING “IMPORT OF FOOD ITEMS”

(a) and (b): In view of concerns of Melamine contamination in milk and milk products in China, the Government has prohibited the import from China of milk and milk products including chocolates and chocolate products and candies / confectionary/ food preparations with milk or milk solids as an ingredient, as per the advice of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.