Food safety

Grace period extended by FSSAI for application of licensing/registration

agronfoodApril 15, 2020

April 15, 2020

 

In a Directive Order, FSSAI has extended grace period for applying of licensing/registration till 30thJune 2020 for applying for renewal of license/registration whether expired or expiring during the period from 22nd March 2020 to 31st May 2020. To help the citizens with easy availability of provisional commodities, FSSAI has decided to take this step in lieu of spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Dr. Shobhit Jain, Executive Director (Compliance Strategy) issued the above Directive Order dated 13th April 2020 to all Food Business Operators, Commissioners of Food Safety of all States/UTs and all Central Licensing Authorities, Head (IT) , FSSAI; and forwarded cc copies to the offices of Head (RCD), Chairperson, FSSAI and CEO,FSSAI.

As there is restriction of movement during pan-India lockdown period due to COVID-19 pandemic, it has been noted that Food Business Operators (FBOs) who generally take help of State Helpdesks, authorities or consultants to file applications are not being able to file applications for renewal of their FSSAI Licenses/registrations. The matter has been considered by FSSAI and the following has been decided:

  1. The FBOs whose license/registration has expired / is expiring during the period 22nd March 2020 to 31st May 2020 are given a grace period to apply for renewal of their license/registration till 30th June 2020 without any late fee. In the interim period the FSSAI licenses/registration shall deemed to be valid.

 

  1. Considering the interruption of internet services in the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, FSSAI vide Order number 15(6)2017/FLRS/RCD/FSSAI dated 3rd Oct 2019, allowed FBOs, whose FSSAI license/registration expired/expiring since 1st August 2019 till restoration of Internet Services, to continue their food businesses with their existing license/registration number without any late fee ,till further order.

 

Now, as the Internet connection has been restored in the region, hence the said order ceases to be in effect. However owing to lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, difficulty may still be faced by FBOs for filing the renewal applications. Thus for UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh , the FBOs whose license/registration has expired/is expiring during the period of 1st august 2019 to 31st may 2020, are given a grace period to apply for renewal of their license/registration till 30th June 2020 without any late fee. In the interim period the license/registration shall deemed to be valid.

 

  1. This Directive Order is issued with the approval of Competent Authority.