CBIC Enforces FSSAI Registration Requirement for Foreign Food Facilities

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Dated: 07.07.2025

CBIC Enforces FSSAI Registration Requirement for Foreign Food Facilities

In line with the Food Safety and Standards (Import) First Amendment Regulations, 2021, the CBIC has instructed all Customs formations to strictly enforce the registration requirement for foreign food manufacturing facilities (FFMFs) involved in exporting specific food categories to India, effective from 1st September 2024.

This follows the FSSAI order dated 30th August 2024, reiterating mandatory compliance for five high-risk food categories.

Food Categories Covered

Foreign food facilities intending to export the following to India must be registered:

Milk and milk products
Meat and meat products (including poultry, fish)
Egg powder
Infant food
Nutraceuticals

ReFoM Portal for Registration

To facilitate this process, FSSAI has launched an online portal:

ReFoM (Registration of Foreign Food Manufacturing Facilities)
https://sites.fssai.gov.in/refom/

Each FFMF is assigned a Unique Registration Number (URN) upon approval. Customs officers handling food import clearances are directed to verify this URN from ReFoM during document checks in the Food Import Clearance System (FICS).

CBIC Directions to Customs Officers

Imports of the above-listed food products will be permitted only from registered FFMFs after 1st Sept 2024.
Customs field officers are advised to ensure compliance during clearance.
The ReFoM portal is to be referred to validate the facility’s registration status.
The earlier Instruction No. 30/2022-Customs stands modified accordingly.

Continuous Update of ReFoM

FSSAI has clarified that registration is an ongoing process, and the portal will be regularly updated based on inputs from the Competent Authorities of exporting countries.

Summary of Compliance Requirements

Requirement	Effective Date	Responsible Body
Registration of FFMFs via ReFoM	1st Sept 2024	FSSAI
Verification at port of import	Ongoing post-deadline	Customs via FICS
Applicable to food categories	5 high-risk groups (milk, meat, eggs, infant food, nutraceuticals)	–

Advisory for Importers

Indian importers are strongly advised to:

Ensure their overseas suppliers are registered at ReFoM
Coordinate with the competent authority of the exporting country
Share necessary details at least 30 days prior to shipment
Avoid last-minute disruptions in customs clearance

Contact & Reference

For technical support, FSSAI may be contacted at: import@fssai.gov.in

CBIC officials may refer any issues to: uscus.3-dor@gov.in | ☎️ 011-23094012

Conclusion

The Instruction marks a critical enforcement shift towards tightened import scrutiny of sensitive food items, aimed at ensuring public health safety. Indian importers and foreign food facilities must ensure timely registration to avoid clearance delays or detentions at Indian ports.

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Source: CBIC, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India

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