1.1. Prohibited
Unless specified with in the commodity list below, the Department is unaware of any specific requirement for edible non-prescribed goods that are for export to India.
1.2. Conditions
Compliance with relevant Australian domestic requirements. Non-prescribed edible goods usually do not require a certificate.
1.2.1 Product label requirements for pre-packaged non-vegetarian food exported to India
The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified the Department of labelling requirements for all non-vegetarian pre-packaged food exported to India. The term ‘pre-packaged food’ means food, which is placed in a package of any nature, in such a manner that the contents cannot be changed without tampering with it and which is ready for sale to the consumer.
These products must now be identified with a symbol which consists of a brown colour filled triangle inside a square with brown outline. The symbol must appear on product labels of all pre-packaged non-vegetarian foods and is pictured below:
Further information on the updated labelling requirements, including required dimensions for the symbol, can be found in Part III – Section 4 (page 34) of the notification on FSSAI’s website (PDF 2315 KB).
These updated product labelling requirements have been in effect since 1 January 2022. If Australian exporters encounter issues at import clearance in India due to implementation of these labelling requirements, please contact the Department through ExportStandards@agriculture.gov.au.
1.2.3 Product label requirements for products labelled as 'vegan'
The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified the Department of requirements for all products labelled as 'vegan'. The requirements come into effect on 26 January 2023.
The requirements include, "No vegan food products shall be imported except with a certificate issued by the recognised authorities of the exporting countries in the format as specified by the Authority is accepted". Refer to the full requirements: Gazette notification Vegan Food (PDF 1.2MB)
The Department is unable to issue such certification. Exporters are advised food products labelled 'vegan' may be detained at the border in India and the Department will be unable to facilitate release. The Department advises against exporting food products labelled 'vegan' or do so at commercial risk.
