Food safety regulator FSSAI today extended the deadline for food companies to get licence to run their businesses by another six months to February 4, 2016.
This is the sixth time that the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has extended the deadline. The last date to get the licence lapsed on August 4.
"...The Central Government has directed the FSSAI...To extend the time-line mentioned in...Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011, for a further period of six months up to February 4 2016..," FSSAI said in its order.
The decision has been taken after the Union Health Ministry considered representations from various stakeholders including food companies and industry associations. Industry was demanding for an extension of one year.
Section 31 (1) of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 provides that no person shall commence or carry on any food business except under a licence, the order added.
As per the Food Safety and Standards regulations of 2011, no person or food business operator can commence any food business unless if he or the operator possess a valid license.
There are about 5.5 crore food business operators in the country.
Welcoming the move, All India Food Processors Association Executive Secretary D V Malhan said, "It is a good move as it will give more time to the companies to register themselves with the food safety regulator.
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