New Policy for Renewing the FSSAI License after the Expiry Date – Legal Sahayak

New Policy for Renewing the FSSAI License after the Expiry Date

Till now, once the FSSAI license/registration expired, there was no provision for filing the renewal of the FSSAI License of Registration. FBOs are required to apply for a fresh License/Registration to restart the business.

To facilities the food businesses to continue with the same license number even after the expiry date, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India announced a new policy for renewing the FSSAI License/Registration after the expiry date. The current article briefs the procedure to Renew the FSSAI License/Registration after the expiry date.

Notification Summary

Due to the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic in the country the FBOs have failed to renew their License/Registration in the provided time. They were required to obtain a fresh License/Registration to continue their food business.

As mentioned above, to facilities the food businesses to continue with the same license number even after the expiry date, FSSAI announced the new policy. According to the new policy, FBO can now renew the FSSAI License/Registration even after the expiry date with some penalties.

Important Announcement to FBO

• This provision of filing renewal application after the expiry date shall be subjected to online submission of due Annual Returns through FoSCoS by the licensed food manufacturer or importer
• No renewal shall be allowed after 180 days from the original expiry date
• FBOs shall not be allowed to conduct any food business in the period from the original expiry date till the issuance of renewed license. Any food business conducted in such period will be subject to penalties and punishment as per Section 63 of the FSSAI Act, 2006
• Fresh validity date will be generated on the grant of renewed License/ Registration
• The policy shall be valid till the date of implementation/ operationalization of FSSAI (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment regulations, 2021
• FBOs whose license/registration has expired within the last 180 days from the date of issuance of this order, can avail of the policy and apply for renewal of License/ Registration through the Food Safety Compliance System, FoSCoS.

Renewal of FSSAI License

FSSAI license is mandatory before starting any food business. All the manufacturers, traders, restaurants who are involved in the food business must obtain a 14-digit registration or a license number which must be printed on food packages with the FSSAI Logo.

FSSAI license is issued validity of 1 year with the option of extending the validity of the license for up to 5 years. Once the validity of the FSSAI license expires, it is imperative to renew the license. To continue the business it is required to be renewed before the expiry of the FSSAI license validity.

Apply for FSSAI Renewal

Date for FSSAI Renewal

Food Safety standard (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 201 states that FBOs need to apply for renewal of a license as early as 30 days before the expiry date mentioned in the license.

The window for filling a renewal application opens for Food Businesses as early as 180 days before the expiry date.

Late fee for Non-Renewal of FSSAI License

In case, renewal of a license is not filed till 30 days before the expiry date, a late fee of Rs.100 per days to be paid by FBO along with the renewal fee.

Note: This late fee is not applicable in the case of Registration.

New Policy for Renewing the FSSAI License / Registration after the Expiry Date

To facilitate the food businesses to continue with the same license number even after the expiry date, it has been decided with the approval of Food Authority to enable Food Business Operator to renew the FSSAI License / Registration even after expiry date with following penalties

• Three times the existing annual license/registration fee in the period – 1st day to 90th days from the original expiry date
• Additional two times of the existing annual license/registration fee (i.e. total 5 times) in the period – 91th day from the original expiry date