New Delhi: Food safety watchdog FSSAI has recommended for extending the ban on import of milk and milk products including chocolates from China for one year till June 23, 2016.
India had first imposed the ban in September 2008 due to presence of melamine, used for making plastics and fertiliser.
India, however, does not import milk products from China, but as a preventive measure, it has imposed the ban.
The ban has been extended multiple times so far by the Department of Foreign Trade (DGFT) till June 23 this year.
"Ban on import of milk and milk products, including chocolates and chocolate products and candies/confectioneries/ food preparations with milk and milk solids as ingredients from China may be extended for a period of one year, upto June 23, 2016..
"..Unless the safety risk assessment is undertaken based on availability of credible reports and supporting data in respect of the said products, whichever is earlier," Food Safety and Standards Authority of India said in its latest order.
Last week, a meeting on this issue was also chaired by the FSSAI CEO Yudhvir Singh Malik.
The committee unanimously decided to recommend that the ban on import of dairy products from China may be extended for a further period of one year or until credible evidence or representation to the contrary was made available, FSSAI added.
