6-month extension to licensing deadline for FBOs likely: FDA officials

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the country’s apex food regulator, is said to have given nod for extending the deadline for licensing and registration of food business operators (FBOs) as per sub-regulation 2.1.2 of Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011,by six months. This has been learnt from at least three food safety officials in the country on Thursday.

Interestingly, though earlier there were reports of FSSAI being in no mood to extend the deadline, the nod was said to have been given following letters by several states urging the authority to soften its stand on the procedure as there have been a number of FBOs who operate at roadside and do not have high incomes. The extended deadline would be applicable to all states. 

Previously, the deadline was extended by six months (i.e. from February 4, 2014 to August 4, 2014). This is the fourth extension since the implementation of the regulations in the country.

According to food safety officials from three states - Assam, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, though FSSAI is refusing to extend the deadline for licensing and registration, they will extend it by six months, because a number of states across India have sent letters to the regulator demanding that Act be softened.

L R Nampui, food official from the Commissionerate of Food Safety, Assam, stated, “FBOs across the state would get a six-month extension to obtain licences or get their establishments registered. The new deadline set by FSSAI is February 2015.” He added that the state food safety commissioner received a letter from the regulator, notifying about the deadline.

Meanwhile, P C Singh, senior food official, State Food Authority, Bihar, said, “We have received a communique from FSSAI regarding the extension of the deadline (to either next January or February).” He added that about 8,084 FBOs in the eastern state have obtained their licences, while about 19,842 have got their establishments registered.

Pramod Shukla, food and drug regulator, Food and Drug Administration, Madhya Pradesh, said, “Since the introduction of the online system for licensing and registration, Madhya Pradesh has fared well. We are now among the leading states as far as both are concerned - over 4 lakh FBOs across the states have either obtained licences or got their units registered, as the case may be.” An official from the state hinted at extension of six months.