FSSAI sticks to February 4, 2014 as the last date for licensing and registration of Food Business Operators

The apex body on food safety in India ‘FSSAI’ has decided not to allow any further extension for the Registration & Licensing of all food businesses under the new act. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has said that the final date has already been deferred twice in the past on the request of Food Business Operators. The existing FBOs seeking renewal of their licenses shall have to comply with the latest guidelines for registration and the new entrants will have to have acquire license and to gain acceptance of the authorities for the establishment of new food business.

Earlier FSS Authority had issued an Advisory on Extending time for Food Business Operators up to 4th February 2014 under F.No. 1/1/Enf-1/FSSAI/2012, Dated 5th February, 2013 FDA Bhawan, Kotla road, New Delhi.

The original content of this advisory allowing extension till Feb. 4, 2014

In continuation of the statutory advisory dated 25.7.2012 issued by this Authority, it has been decided to extend the timeline to 4th February, 2014 for FBOs seeking conversion/ renewal of their existing licenses and also for FBOs who have not obtained licenses/registration under the new Act.

Brief Interpretation of Advisory:

Food Business Operators; you have very good opportunity to get License/Registration without paying any late fee. The date for obtaining License/Registration has been extended for you. Now you can convert your existing License/registration in to FSSA License up to 4th February 2014 and the Food Business Operators who have not yet obtained license /Registration under the new Act, now can obtain licenses before 4th February 2014.

Implications of Advisory:

If you are already licensed under the different Act and Rules relating to food products which have now been repealed viz PFA Act e.t.c. then you are required to get it converted into FSSAI License or registration. Now you can convert it in FSSA License or Registration till 4th February 2014 without any penalty.

The Food Business operators, who are not yet Licensed or Registered under any of the repealed Act/Rules Repealed Act.docx or the new FSS Act, can also get license or registration under FSS Act before 4th February 2014 without any penalty.
If you are running alcoholic drinks business then this advisory is applicable to you also.
Background of the Advisory:

The new food Act i.e. the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 , FSS Rules 2011 FSS regulations 2011, have come into effect w.e.f. 5.08.2011.According to section 31 of FSS act , no person shall commence or carry on their food business without obtaining License or Registration therefore you have either to get licensed or registered yourself depending upon the nature of food business and annual turnover.

Initially as per the regulations 2.1.2 of Food safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of food business) Regulation, the food Business Operator were required to apply for conversion for License/Registration within one year from the date of notification of this regulation that is by 4th August 2012. This date was further extended for another 6 months i.e. up to 4th February 2013 vide statutory Advisory File No. 1/1/Enf-1/FSSAI/2012 http://fssai.gov.in/Portals/0/Pdf/advisory(25-07-2012).pdf. This date was further extended for another one year that means the timeline for seeking conversion/ renewal of their existing licenses and also for FBOs who have not obtained licenses/registration under the new Act was extended to 4th February 2014.

As per section 63 of FSS Act, Penalty for running the business without a license is imprisonment with up to 6 months with fine up to 5lakh.

As per section 58 of FSS Act , Penalty for running the business without registration fined up to 2lakh.

INTRO AND BACKGROUND OF FSSAI:

Food Safety and standard Authority of India (FSSAI) issued this alert for the Food Business Operators who wants to continue their business. If they don’t take license, have to stop their business. Food Business Operator should go for license or registration this depend on the turnover of the Food Business operator per year. The process of licensing take proper 2 months so those Food Business operator who does not have license till now, they should go for applying the license/registration.