On 17th October 2024, FSSAI issued an order implementing an agreement signed with the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) on 21st March 2024. This agreement recognizes the regulatory control exercised by the BFDA over Bhutanese Food Business Operators as equivalent to FSSAI standards. As part of the agreement, the BFDA will issue a Health Certificate to certify compliance with these standards.

All concerned officers are directed to ensure adherence to the following guidelines:

i) For food consignments imported from Bhutanese manufacturers, if accompanied by the prescribed Health Certificate issued by the BFDA Competent Authority (as per the list attached in the notice), a NOC (No Objection Certificate) may be granted based on the compliant Health Certificate.

The required documents include:

a) A copy of the approved Health Certificate.

b) A copy of the authorized signatories’ signatures who issued the Health Certificate.

c) A list of approved establishments in Bhutan with their respective scopes of approval.

This order is effective from 21st October 2024.

Find the order here