The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has announced the implementation of the agreement with the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority (BFDA) to facilitate the import of food products from Bhutan to India. This office order was issued on May 19, 2025.
The “Agreement,” signed in Thimphu on March 21, 2024, aims to recognize the official food safety controls exercised by the BFDA on Bhutanese Food Business Operators (FBOs) as equivalent to the requirements set forth by the FSSAI.
Under the terms of this agreement, the BFDA will issue a Health Certificate to Bhutanese FBOs as proof of compliance with FSSAI’s standards for food products intended for export to India. This mutual recognition is expected to streamline the import process and reduce regulatory hurdles for compliant Bhutanese food manufacturers.
The FSSAI has issued an office order to ensure the smooth implementation of this agreement, instructing all concerned officers to adhere to the following requirements:
- For imported food consignments from approved Bhutanese manufacturers, if accompanied by the prescribed Health Certificate duly issued by the BFDA Competent Authority, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) may be granted based on the compliant Health Certificate.
The office order also includes the following enclosures to aid in the implementation process:
- A copy of the approved Health Certificate format.
- Copies of the signatures of the Authorized signatories from BFDA who are authorized to issue the Health Certificates.
- A revised list of 117 approved food establishments in Bhutan along with their scope of approval.
This order, implemented with immediate effect, signifies a strengthening of trade relations and food safety cooperation between India and Bhutan. It is expected to benefit both countries by ensuring the quality and safety of imported food products while simplifying the regulatory framework for trade.
