Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormCanned
Industry PositionProcessed Vegetable Product
Market
Peeled tomato in India is primarily a thermally processed (canned) tomato product regulated under FSSAI standards for canned tomatoes (peeled style). India is a large tomato-producing country, which supports domestic processing potential for canned tomato styles used in household cooking and foodservice.
Market RoleLarge domestic tomato producer; domestic processing market with regulated canned/peeled tomato standards; participates in trade of prepared/preserved tomato products (HS 2002) (data gap on peeled-tomato-specific scale).
Domestic RolePackaged processed tomato product for retail and foodservice use; quality and composition governed by FSSAI canned tomato standards.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Practically uniform color characteristic of well-matured fruit; free from discoloration due to oxidation/processing causes
- Good texture (firm, not hard or unduly soft) and practically uniform size (style-dependent)
- Peeled product virtually free from peel; free from off-odours
Compositional Metrics- pH of covering liquid not higher than 4.5 (for products packed in tomato juice/water/tomato puree media)
- Added common salt in covering medium not to exceed 3% of net contents (where applicable)
Packaging- Rigid, hermetically sealed containers used for thermal processing (commonly metal/tin containers for canned tomatoes) under FSSAI packaging requirements
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Tomato procurement → washing/sorting → scalding & peeling → trimming/coring → filling (regular pack with packing medium or solid pack) → sealing → thermal processing (retort) → cooling → storage & distribution (ambient-stable) → retail/foodservice
Temperature- Ambient-stable distribution; protect sealed containers from excessive heat exposure, dents, and seam damage during storage and transport
Shelf Life- Shelf-life depends on achieving commercial sterility and maintaining can/container integrity through the logistics chain; follow labeled storage conditions and best-before
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Import Clearance HighNon-compliance with India’s FSSAI requirements (import clearance procedure, labelling, packaging, and canned/peeled tomato product standards) can lead to delayed clearance, additional testing, or rejection/non-conformance outcomes at the border.Run a pre-shipment compliance check against FSSAI canned tomato standards (including covering-liquid pH expectations and allowed ingredients/additives), ensure India-compliant labels, and prepare complete FICS documentation to reduce queries and sampling delays.
Logistics MediumContainer freight volatility and inland handling damage (dents/seam compromise) can raise landed cost and increase quality risks for canned peeled tomatoes.Use robust secondary packaging and palletization, specify handling requirements, consider freight-rate hedging/contracting, and implement receiving inspection for dents/swells/leakers.
Raw Material Volatility MediumIndia’s upstream tomato supply is exposed to seasonal/weather and price volatility, which can affect processor input costs and availability for domestically manufactured canned tomato styles.Diversify procurement regions, use contracted farming/forward procurement where feasible, and maintain safety stock or flexible sourcing of processed tomato inputs.
Sustainability- Water and input stewardship in upstream tomato cultivation affecting long-term supply resilience
- Packaging waste management (metal can recyclability and responsible disposal) for canned products
Standards- HACCP
- ISO 22000
- FSSC 22000
- BRCGS Food Safety
FAQ
What is the main pathway to clear imported canned/peeled tomatoes into India?Imports are typically processed through Customs single-window workflows and FSSAI’s Food Import Clearance System (FICS). The FSSAI Authorized Officer reviews uploaded documents, may require inspection/sampling/testing, and issues a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for conforming consignments.
What does India’s standard say about peeled tomatoes in canned tomatoes?India’s FSSAI standard for canned tomatoes explicitly includes “peeled tomatoes” as a style: tomatoes are scalded, peeled, and canned as whole or non-whole. The standard also sets product quality expectations such as being virtually free from peel and having good color and texture, and includes requirements for packing media (e.g., pH limit for covering liquid where applicable).
What packaging expectations apply for canned tomato products sold in India?FSSAI packaging rules require food-grade packaging that is suitable for the product and transport conditions, and specify hygiene/tamper-proof expectations. For metal cans, FSSAI rules also state that tin containers once used must not be re-used for packaging food.
Sources
Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (India) — Press Information Bureau (PIB) — Third Advance Estimates 2023-24 (Horticulture) — includes tomato production estimate
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) — Food Products Standards and Food Additives Regulations (Compendium) — Canned Tomatoes standard including peeled style
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) — Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017 (Compendium) — NOC and import clearance framework
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) — Food Imports Manual / Food Import Clearance System (FICS) manual — process steps and document workflow
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) — Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 (Compendium)
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) — Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018 (Compendium)
Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO) — Codex Standard for Canned Tomatoes (CODEX STAN 13-1981)