In a bid to prevent the rebranding and resale of expired and rejected food products, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed all licensed food manufacturers and importers to submit quarterly data on such items via an online portal.
The directive, issued on December 16, mandates detailed reporting on three critical aspects: the quantity of products failing internal quality checks, the volume of expired or returned goods from the supply chain, and comprehensive records of product disposal. The disposal data must include specifics such as methods of destruction, auction details, and information about buyers or waste disposal agencies.
Food business operators (FBOs) will need to upload this information through the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal. While the provision for online submission is expected to be activated soon, the FSSAI has urged FBOs to start consolidating the required data in advance.
“This initiative ensures real-time monitoring of rejected and expired goods and their proper disposal, preventing any misuse for human consumption,” the regulatory body stated.
The FSSAI has also instructed all licensed food manufacturers, repackers, relabellers, and importers to maintain accurate records to avoid delays in future submissions.
The move underscores FSSAI’s commitment to enhancing transparency and accountability in the food supply chain, safeguarding public health, and minimizing risks associated with the resale of unsafe food products.