PERMISSION FOR FOOD PRODUCTS AND BEVERAGES
Food Processing industries
are both in the organised and unorganised sector. Processed food
items except for alcoholic beverages and items reserved for small-scale
sector are exempt from the purview of license under the Industries
Development & Regulation Act. Further, foreign direct investment
upto 100% is allowed under automatic route in processed food items
except for alcoholic beverages, items reserved for small scale
industries and food retailing. During the period 1999-2000 to
September 30, 2002, 1260 Industrial Entrepreneur Memoranda (IEMs)
envisaging investment of approx. Rs. 260 crore and employment
of 2.4 lakh persons, were filed in various sectors of processed
food. As per the prevailing Exim Policy, there is no restriction
on import of processed food items and marketing the same. These
products will, however, have to conform to various Indian food
laws.
This information
was given in Lok Sabha today by Shri N.T. Shanmugam, Minister
of State for Food Processing Industries in a written reply.
