2 Processors of Aquatic Products in India Have Their GACC Registration Revoked
GACC_Food Safety Administration of Imported Food to China
On March 22, 2022, GACC issued the announcement and revoked the registrations of two Indian Manufacturers of Aquatic Products" (GACC Announcement No. 27, 2022). The inspection showed major problems in the food safety and hygiene management of the enterprises, with Indian registration numbers 481 and 200 (GACC numbers CIND18PP1802010539 and CIND18PP1802010523). According to the provisions of Article 24, Item 3 of the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Registration of Overseas Manufacturers of Imported Food (GACC Decree 248, 2021), registrations of the above two companies are revoked from March 15, 2022.
Registration Management of Overseas Food Manufacturers
Legal basis: GACC 248, 2021
1. Manufacturers must apply for GACC registration and obtain a valid GACC number.
2. Registration requirements of manufacturers
I. The food safety management system of the located country (region) must pass the Equivalence Assessment and Review of GACC
II. The manufacturer must be licensed and supervised by the competent authority of its located country (region).
III. The manufacturer must operate on an effective food safety/hygiene management and protection system, legally engage in all production, processing and export activities, ensuring the exports to China comply with the relevant Chinese laws, regulations and national food safety standards.
IV. Comply with the inspection and quarantine requirements, agreed by GACC and the competent authority of the located country (region).
3. If a registered manufacturer falls under any of the following circumstances, GALL will revoke its registration with an open announcement:
I. Major food safety accidents
II. Serious food safety problems found during entry inspection and quarantine
III. Major problems in the food safety and hygiene management of the enterprise; exports to China failing to meet the safety and hygiene requirements
IV. Failure to meet isnpection and quarantine requirements after rectification
V. Providing false materials or concealing relevant, true information
VI. Refusing to cooperate with GACC to carry out Accident Review and Investigation
VII. Leasing, lending, transferring, reselling, or fraudulently using the registration number
Regulatory Requirements of Imported Aquatic Products
1. The packaging and labels of imported food must comply with Chinese laws, regulations and national food safety standards; if an instruction manual is applicable in accordance with the law, the attached manual in Chinese is also required.
2. The Chinese or Chinese/English labels must be clear and eligible on the inner and outer packaging, including the following information:
3. Under any of the following circumstances, GACC may take control measures to suspend or prohibit import based on the risk assessment results.
I. The occurrence of a major animal or plant epidemic in the exporting country (region), or any major changes of the food safety system that have potentially compromised the safety and integrity of the exports.
II. Products contaminated by pathogens of infectious diseases, or any indications of being the transmission medium of infectious diseases.
III. Enterprises failing to meet the relevant safety, health, and environmental friendliness requirements after multiple attempts of correction.
IV. Serious violations of the Chinese laws and regulations conducted by enterprises.
V. Indications of risk factors.
Precautions for Importers of Aquatic Products
1. Be informed of and monitor the food safety and hygiene management of the factory. Pay attention to the factories’ fusing frequency and duration. Be mindful of the factories with low risk management level, indicated by repeated warnings and long-term declaration suspends. A factory’s export volume should also be put into consideration.
2. Be aware of the food safety and hygiene management in loacted countries. Countries (regions) with severe epidemics of infectious diseases, inadequate epidemic prevention, and poor hygiene control in a factory are more prone to have food safety issues in their exports to China.
3. Conduct regular inspection of factories. Video inspection and on-site ones are both applicable.
4. Advocate for overseas manufacturers to strengthen epidemic prevention and control. As an importing entity in China, enterprises share the responsibility and obligation to ensure the safety of imported aquatic products. It is not only a right conferred by food safety regulations, but a responsibility to ensure food safety in China. Manufacturers must implement the guidelines issued by organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), to strictly prevent the contamination of products exported to China, as well as their process of production, processing, packaging, storage and transportation.
5. Upon signing a trade contract, clarify the terms and conditions of bearing the loss and taking responsibility.
Written by GACC
E-mail: asst@foodgacc.com
Tel: +86 134 3949 8611 |
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