The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India on 20th April 2021 has decided to facilitate the FBOs and ensure ease of doing business by providing following relaxations, in order to ensure uninterrupted food services/supply during the present prevailing COVID 19 conditions across the country.
- All FBOs except Manufacturers are allowed to temporarily operate their food business on the basis of application. This may be for new licence registration or modification of existing licence registration to add a kind of business (other than manufacturer).
- No pre-inspections are required for issuance of new FSSAI license/registration except in case of manufacturing of high risk food product viz. Milk and milk products, slaughter houses, meat and meat products etc. Similarly no routine inspections are required to be done.
- The timeline for submission of online annual yearly returns (D-1) for the period 2020-21 due for submission on or before 31st May, 2021 has been extended till 30th, June 2021.
- Further FSSAI has decided to waive off the late fee, in case, renewal of license is not applied as early as 30 days before the expiry of license. No late fee for renewal of Licenses shall be charged till 30th June 2021, i.e. no late fee for renewal application (as stipulated under the said regulation) will be charged for licenses, if filed on or before 30th June 2021.
The above relaxations shall cease w.e.f. 30.06.2021 irrespective of the status of lockdown/ curfew/ containment at any location.