The food regulator, FSSAI, has extended the approval for import of speciality foods for IEM (Inborn Errors of Metabolism) and hypoallergenic conditions. FSSAI has issued an order in this regard saying that in continuation to the direction issued previously in April this year, the import of such food products will be allowed for next six months that is till May 1, 2021.
The order stated, “It has been further decided to allow the import of food for special medical purpose i.e., food for Inborn Errors of Metabolism and hypoallergenic conditions, as listed (by the FSSAI) for a further period of six months from 02/11/2020 till 1/05/2021 or till their standards are notified whichever is earlier.”
However, the imports could only be done through two ports of Delhi and Mumbai, according to the order.
“For better control, the import of such products shall continue to be permitted through Delhi and Mumbai Ports only,” reads the order.
It is pertinent to mention here that speciality food for IEM is allowed to be imported in India since 2016 by the FSSAI.
There are conditions listed by the FSSAI of IEM including maple syrup urine disease, glutaric acidemia type 1, homocystinuria, isovaleric acidemia, methylmalonic acidemias, amino acid metabolic disorders, phenylketonuria, urea cycle disorders, tyrosinemia, galactosemia, 3-hydroxy long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency, defects in the intraluminal hydrolysis of fat, disaccharidase deficiencies, nonketotic hyperglycinemia and glucose transport defect.
And the hypoallergenic conditions include severe allergy due to multiple food protein intolerance that cannot be effectively managed by the extensively hydrolysed formula and cow milk protein allergy.
According to an official with the FSSAI, the work on the standards is going on and it is expected to be completed within period of six months
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