Food regulator reiterates that incorrect or misleading information in annual filings will invite strict penal action; urges use of revision facility on FoSCoS portal.
FSSAI has issued a stern warning to Food Business Operators (FBOs) across the country, urging them to ensure complete accuracy in their annual return filings. The regulator made it clear that false, misleading, or inconsistent information will attract strict penalties under Section 61 of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006.
In a public notice and communication dated July 7, FSSAI reminded all eligible food businesses that filing accurate and complete annual returns is not just a compliance formality but a critical element in maintaining a safe food ecosystem.
“Furnishing false or misleading information shall attract a penalty under Section 61 of the FSS Act, 2006; therefore, timely correction of errors is essential to avoid penal action,” the FSSAI said in its directive.
The advisory comes after the food regulator noted improvements in return submission rates since it mandated the exclusive use of the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal for annual returns beginning with the 2020–21 fiscal year. However, the FSSAI has flagged that some FBOs are still submitting inaccurate or incomplete data, jeopardizing the credibility of the national food safety database.
The annual returns are critical because they capture key operational details, such as production volumes, categories, and compliance indicators. These filings are used by licensing authorities to assess adherence to safety standards across state and union territory jurisdictions.
“All Licensing Authorities must scrutinize the Annual Returns submitted by eligible FBOs under their respective jurisdictions,” the regulator said.
To allow businesses the opportunity to rectify inadvertent mistakes, FSSAI introduced a revision/update feature on the FoSCoS platform in January 2024. This provision allows FBOs to revise their previously submitted returns within a specific timeline and fee structure.
The regulator has now asked all state food safety departments to sensitize local businesses about the compliance mandates and make full use of the revision tool to avoid punitive action.
The latest warning underscores FSSAI’s broader push for transparency, accountability, and data integrity in India’s sprawling food industry, which comprises millions of manufacturers, processors, retailers, and food service establishments.
“Accuracy in these filings is not optional. It is a regulatory necessity and a cornerstone of trust in our food system,” said an FSSAI official.
The advisory reiterates that failure to comply could lead to enforcement measures, including financial penalties and license reviews, under the Food Safety and Standards Act.
Since 2020, FSSAI has been steadily digitising food safety governance in India through FoSCoS and other platforms. These systems aim to streamline compliance, improve traceability, and enable better risk-based inspections.
With rising consumer awareness and global scrutiny over food quality and labeling, accurate reporting by FBOs is more critical than ever, not just for legal compliance but also for building consumer trust and export credibility.
Ensure all annual returns are filed with factual and verified information.
Review past submissions for any inconsistencies or unintentional errors.
Use the revision/update feature on FoSCoS without delay.
Be aware that penalties under Section 61 can include fines up to ₹2 lakh for false or misleading returns.
The FSSAI’s directive makes it clear: food businesses cannot treat compliance as a checkbox exercise. In an era of rising regulatory oversight and public health accountability, transparency is the new license to operate.