NEW DELHI: Imported food items may reach consumers faster and in better condition, after the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) changed its clearance process to reduce delays at ports.In a key change, FSSAI has allowed inspection and testing of imported food consignments to happen together, instead of waiting for payments at every stage. This is expected to significantly cut the time taken for clearance.At the same time, FSSAI has kept safety checks in place. Final clearance, including the No Objection Certificate (NOC), will be given only after all fees are paid, ensuring that food safety is not compromised.Earlier, the process was sequential and time-consuming. After document scrutiny, importers had to pay fees before inspection could begin, and again before samples were sent for laboratory testing. Any delay in payment would slow down the entire process, leading to consignments being held up at ports.Under the revised system, once documents are cleared and visual inspection is completed, samples can be drawn immediately without waiting for payment confirmation. This allows inspection and testing to run in parallel, reducing delays.For consumers, the impact could be direct. Faster clearance means perishable food items such as fruits, dairy and processed products spend less time at ports, reducing the risk of spoilage and helping maintain quality.The move is also expected to ease congestion at ports, improve supply chains and reduce logistics delays, which could help stabilise availability and prices in the market.Officials said the change is aimed at making the import clearance system faster and more efficient, while ensuring that all mandatory safety checks continue before any product reaches consumers.The decision is part of broader efforts to streamline procedures and improve ease of doing business without diluting food safety standards.