On 21st October 2022, FSSAI issued a direction regarding the implementation of testing of non-conforming parameters by the Referral laboratory for samples taken from imported consignments. As per the Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017, the imported samples must conform to the FSSAI specifications. If the sample fails at the primary laboratory, it will be referred to the Referral laboratory for re-analysis. Due to time constraints, it has been decided that only parameters, results of which in the primary laboratory found non-conformance to the limit specified in FSS Regulations and the applicable safety parameters not tested by the primary lab, if any, will be tested by the referral laboratory.

Read the direction here.