FSSAI allows Instant Renewal of Food License

In a recent order, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) allows instant renewal of food licenses. The order was issued on 11th January 2023. The validity of the food license has been changed to only 1 year instead of the existing provision which provided Food Business Operators (FBO) the choice for selection of period from 1 to 5 years.

This shall be applicable on applications received on or after January 12, 2023

Before this order, for renewal of their license, the FBO would have to submit the renewal application along with the necessary documents.

Learn more what is the reason behind the instant renewal of the license, the conditions for the renewal, the declaration required to be made by FBOs and the late fee penalties.

Table of Content

Why FSSAI ordered Instant Renewal of Food License?
Condition for Instant Renewal of Food License
Declaration for Instant Renewal of Food License
Late Fee
Conclusion

1.Why FSSAI ordered Instant Renewal of License?

Before this order, for renewal of their licence/ registration, the FBO would have to submit the renewal application along with the necessary documents.

These would then be scrutinised by the concerned authorities. This scrutiny would take up additional time and effort since the number of FBOs has increased over time.

Hence to streamline the licensing and renewal process, all renewals of licence/ registration will be granted instantly.

Now, the FBO will have to submit the renewal application, however, there will be no scrutiny of the application.

2.Condition for Instant Renewal of Food License

This instantaneous renewal is subject to the following conditions:

There are no changes in the existing details of the licence/ registration
The renewed licence will be valid for 1 year only and the renewed registration is valid as per the existing provision, for the period between 1-5 years as selected by the FBO.
FBOs whose licence/ registration has been suspended/ cancelled shall not be allowed to renew their licence/ registration
Further, i.e. November 10, 2022, the FoSCoS system ensures that FBO (Manufacturers and Importers) shah file annual returns with penalties (if any), before renewal, for FY 2021-22 onwards.

3.Declaration for Instant Renewal of Food License

Under the instant renewal of license FBO has to submit newly added declaration (tick in the checkbox) in FoSCoS as follows namely: –

a) I/We have complied with all the permissions/rules, which are applicable to my food business and the premises of the food business such as CGWA NOC etc.
b) I/We do not possess more than one active license/ registration for any other food businesses at the same premises.

4.Late Fee

Additionally, since the scrutiny of renewal applications is dispensed with, there will no longer be late fees levied of Rs. 100 per day if the renewal application is filed within the last 30 days before expiry.

However, penalties levied for applying for renewal of expired licence/ registration will continue.

Moreover, the declaration of the Food Safety Management System (FSMS) plan is automated in FoSCoS and FBOs must self-declare the compliance of points in the inspection checklist at the time of renewal.

5. Conclusion

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has permitted the instant renewal of food licenses under the ease of doing business policy. This step will save an immense amount of effort for both the FSSAi and Food Business Operators(FBOs).

Source:FSSAI