Food-safety assessment governs imported soybean clearance, with further affidavit required before any final determination.

Imported soybean clearance depended on the competent food-safety authority's technical assessment, and the Court required a further affidavit confirming that the consignment would not be harmful for human consumption under the FSSAI Act, 2006 and the rules made thereunder. The record showed that the food-safety and customs process remained linked to the FSSAI's evaluation, and no final determination on clearance was made until that additional affidavit was filed. The matter was therefore kept pending for further consideration on receipt of the FSSAI's statement.

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Issues: Whether the imported soybean consignment could be cleared pending the FSSAI's final affidavit and whether the Court should direct further consideration by the FSSAI and Customs authorities.

Analysis: The order records that the GEAC had not reached a final conclusion on clearance and had relied on testing by the FSSAI. The Court noted the FSSAI affidavit and laboratory material, but found that a specific affidavit was still required from FSSAI stating that the soybean consignment would not be harmful for human consumption in light of the FSSAI Act, 2006 and the rules framed thereunder. The Court also noted that Customs remained dependent on the FSSAI's assessment and that the matter required further consideration after the additional affidavit was filed.

Conclusion: No final adjudication on clearance was made; the Court directed FSSAI to file an affidavit and kept the matter for further hearing.

Final Conclusion: The proceeding remained pending for further consideration on receipt of the FSSAI's affidavit, and no conclusive determination on the merits of clearance was rendered.

Ratio Decidendi: Where clearance of imported food goods depends on technical food-safety assessment by the competent authority, the Court may require a specific affidavit or determination from that authority before proceeding further.

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