FSSAI License Eligibility Registration Validity Suspension Cancellation Transfer

FSSAI License Eligibility Registration Validity Suspension Cancellation Transfer: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) refers to a statutory organisation under the Indian government’s Health and Family Welfare Ministry. 2006’s Food Safety and Standards Act, a consolidating act related to food regulation and safety across India, formed the FSSAI. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is in charge of preserving and promoting public health by regulating and supervising food safety.

Furthermore, in 2021, the FSSAI agreed for providing permanent licenses to all the food manufacturers and restaurants, conditioning that they file their returns each year. This is aimed to help the industries involved in the handling, manufacturing, packing, and sale of food goods.

• FSSAI Registration Applications
• FSSAI License Applications
• FSSAI Registration / License Validity
• FSSAI Registration Application Renewal
• FSSAI Registration Cancellation
• FSSAI Registration Transfer in the Death
• Required Compliance

FSSAI Registration Applications

1. Along with the application for registration, the small food manufacturer submits a self-attested certification of conformance to requirements pertaining to general hygiene and sanitary requirements.
2. Within 7 days of receiving an application for registration, the Registering Authority either permits registration, rejects the same, or issues a notice for inspection.
3. If an inspection is requested, the registration will be given by the Registering Authority within 30 days after the Registering Authority is satisfied that the safety, hygiene, and sanitary criteria are being met. The tiny food manufacturer may begin operations, subject to any subsequent improvements advised by the registering authorities in the following circumstances:
   1. Where permission to register is obtained.
   2. If registration is not granted, refused, or an inspection is not ordered within seven days after submission,
   3. In the case of an inspection order, the Registering Authority must make a decision within 30 days.

FSSAI License Applications

1. A self-attested declaration and such copies of papers (FOR STATE LICENSE AND CENTRAL LICENSE), as well as the relevant fees, must be submitted with an application for the award of a license in Form B.
2. The Licensing Authority will assign an Application ID number to each applicant upon receipt of a complete application (including any additional information requested by the Licensing Authority).
3. A license has to be issued by the competent Licensing Authority within 60 days of the date of the application ID being issued.
4. If a license is not provided within 60 days, an applicant may start his food company, and the related licensing authority will not prevent him from doing so.

FSSAI Registration / License Validity

A registration or license shall be valid for a period of 1 to 5 years from the date of issuing, as determined by the Food Business Operator.

FSSAI Registration Application Renewal

1. Any application for the renewal of a registration or license must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the expiration date.
2. The registration or license shall remain in effect until the renewal application is approved, which shall not be more than 30 days after the date of expiration of the registration or license. Any renewal application submitted after the above-mentioned period but before the expiry date is subject to a late fee of Rs 100 per day for each day the application is late.
3. If the renewal application is not submitted, the license expires, and the Food Business Operator will have to cease all the operations.
4. If a Food Operation Operator wants to relaunch their business, they have to apply for a new registration or license.

FSSAI Registration Cancellation

1. If there is cause to suspect that the Food Business Operator has failed to comply with the conditions within the time specified in any Improvement Notice delivered u/s 32, the Registering or Licensing Authority may suspend any registration or license at any time.
2. If a Food Business Operator fails to comply with the conditions of an improvement notice given by the authority within the timeframe specified in the notice, the registering authority may cancel the license/registration.
3. If all of the observations indicated in the improvement notice have been met, the Food Business Operator may apply for a new registration or license after 3 months from the date of cancellation.

FSSAI Registration Transfer in the Death

In the event that the holder of a Registration certificate or license dies, the certificate or license will continue to be valid for the benefit of the deceased’s legal representative or any family member until the expiration of:

1. the period of 90 days from the registration certificate holder’s death date; or
2. such longer period as the Designated Officer may allow, for reasons recorded in writing

The legal representative or family member of the deceased holder must apply to the relevant authority for the certificate or license to be transferred to him.

Required Compliance

1. Every licensee must file a return in ‘Form D-1′ electronically or in paper form by the 31st of May of each year.
2. Every licensee engaged in the manufacturing of milk and/or milk products is required to file half-yearly returns in the form D-2 for the fiscal years 1st April to 30th September and 1st October to 31st March.
3. However, for the fiscal year 2019-2020, the authority has extended the deadline for submitting annual and half-yearly returns from October 1 to March 31, 2020, till July 31.
4. If the same Food Business Operator holds multiple licenses, he or she must file a separate return for each one.
5. A penalty of Rs 100 per day will be imposed if the return is not filed by the 31st of May of each year.