Question : SALE OF IMPORTED FOOD ITEMS AFTER EXPIRY DATE



(a) whether imported food items are being sold in the country even after their expiry date;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the reaction of the Government thereto?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. PANABAKA LAKSHMI)

(a) to (c):- No such specific complaint regarding sale of imported food items after their expiry date has been received.

The implementation of the PFA Act, 1954 and Rules framed thereunder are entrusted with the Food (Health) Authorities of the States/U.Ts. They have been instructed to lift samples of imported food articles sold in the market and take action including prosecution of offenders in the cases where the samples are found to be adulterated/misbranded or violating the labeling provisions of the PFA Act, 1954 and Rules framed thereunder.

Further, as a preventive measure, the Department of Commerce has issued a Notification under Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 that all edible/food products, domestic sale and manufacture of which are governed by Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 shall also be subject to the condition that at the time of importation, the products are having a valid shelf like of not less than 60% of its original shelf life. Accordingly All Port/Airport Health Officers & Custom Collectors at Ports/Airports have been advised to ensure that all the imported food articles comply with all the provisions including labeling requirement of the PFA Rules, 1955 and having a valid shelf life not less than 60% of its original shelf life before the same are released into the country for human consumption.