Government of India

Ministry of Finance

Department of Revenue

(Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs)

To

All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioner of Customs

All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioner of Customs (Preventive)

All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioner of CGST & Customs

All Principal DGs/DGs under CBIC

All Principal Commissioners I Commissioners of Customs

Subject: - Instructions to Authorized Officers of FSSAI & Customs regarding testing of UHT Whipping Cream-reg.

Reference is invited to FSSAI letter No. 1828/Misc.Matters/FSSAI/lmports-2021 dated 01.06.2022. (copy enclosed) on the above-mentioned subject.

2. Vide above letter, FSSAI has stated that Commercial Sterility test as prescribed in Table-2B: Microbiological Standards for Milk and Milk Products - Food Safety Criteria, under FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011, is not feasible for UHT Whipping Cream, given the nature of the product and its storage conditions that are conducive to give a negative test result, on evaluation.

3. In view of above, it is requested that all Authorized officers under your jurisdiction may be directed to ensure that imported consignment of UHT Whipping Cream does not undergo Commercial Sterility Test.

4. The difficulties, if any, in the implementation of this Instruction may please be brought to the notice of the Board.

5. Hindi version follows.

Encl: as above

Yours faithfully,

(kevin Boban)

Officer on Special Duty (Cus-lll)

File No. 1828/Misc.Matters/FSSAI/lmports-2021 Dated: The 1st June, 2022

Food Safety and Standards Authority of lndia

(A Statutory Authority established under the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006) (Trade & International CooperationDivision)

FDA Bhawan, KotlaRoad, NewDelhi-110002

Subject: Instructions to Authorized Officers of FSSAI & Customs regarding testing of UHT Whipping Cream -reg.

Reference is drawn to the Sub-Regulation of FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011 (Table-2B: Microbiological Standards for Milk and Milk Products - Food Safety Criteria), which stipulates microbial requirement of "Commercial Sterility Test" for UHT whipping cream.

2. In this context, representation from stakeholders were received regarding applicability of "Commercial Sterility Test" for UHT whipping cream. The said issue was examined during the 18th meeting of Scientific Panel on Milk and Milk Products and the panel had agreed that the "Commercial Sterility" for microbial requirement's not feasible for UHT Whipping Cream, given the nature of the product and its storage conditions that are conducive to give a negative test result on evaluation.

3. In view of above, all Authorized officers are hereby directed to ehsure that imported consignment of UHT Whipping Cream shall not be tested on Commercial Sterility Test.

(Dr. Amit Sharma)

Director (Imports)