FSSAI Update : Instant modification in License

Introduction

On December 1, 2022, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) released a notification regarding the immediate adjustment of a license in cases of addition and deletion of non-high-risk standardized food products from the existing license by manufacturers. Read more about the recent FSSAI update in the following article.

About FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India)

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is an independent government agency that was established in 2008 in accordance with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. This organization’s major goal is to regulate and monitor the quality of India’s food industry in order to ensure the safety of food consumed in the country. It verifies and establishes a baseline or standard for all food items, ensuring that they are hygienic and safe to consume. Food Business Operators (FBOs) must obtain an FSSAI registration or license, before launching any food business in India.

What are the recent updates in FSSAI?

It was observed that most license adjustments are associated with changes in firm details such as an address, name, communication details, product details, the addition of new goods to the license, and so on. In some of the applications for modifications, the manufacturer requests to add only Standardized Products [non-high risk] to the license that already exists. The Food Authority examined the situation during its 40th meeting to make company operations simpler and to speed up the license modification procedure. Following is the conclusion of the last meeting of the Food Authority:

• Instant Modification of license in the case of modification requests for the addition of any standardized food items under the Vegetable Oil and Processing Units and General Manufacturing kind of businesses, with the exception of High-Risk Food Categories 01, 08, 09, 13, and 99.
• The provision will only be offered to existing Licensed Manufacturers.
• The modification fee will remain the same(Rs. 1000), plus any additional charges filed on by modifications to the pricing structure for licenses in the same category.

As of December 23, 2022, the same has been applied in the FOSCOS portal.

What is the process for Renewal of FSSAI License?

The following is the online procedure for renewing FSSAI registration/license by logging into the FoSCoS website:

• Log in to the FoSCoS website with your FSSAI license number or certificate number.
• Once you’ve logged in, click the “Renewal” option on the left side of the screen and choose “Apply for Renewal of license/registration.”
• The window will display a list of all FSSAI licenses or registrations that have been issued. To proceed with renewing a license or registration, click the “Proceed” button. The FSSAI license/registration that is eligible for renewal will be shown just 120 days before it expires.
• The FBOs can update just the details that are editable on Form A or Form B once they have opened. On the form, some information is editable and some information is not editable.
• Upload the relevant paperwork, then pay the renewal fees as needed.
• Once the fees have been paid, a receipt can proceed with a new 17 digit registration number.
• By entering the new 17-digit registration number, the FBOs can check the status of the renewal application on the FoSCoS website.

Conclusion

The Food Authority looked into the situation to streamline business operations and accelerate the license modification process during its 40th meeting. Only those who currently hold a food license are eligible for the FSSAI Modification. If the agreement is cancelled, an FBO must reapply after three months. A Modification of the FSSAI License must be submitted by the FBO in the case of a change in ownership. The FBO must also undergo the company registration process.