The Food Safety And Standards Authority Of India (FSSAI) had first introduced an amendment titled Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Amendment Regulations, 2018. These draft Amendment Regulations were approved on September 21, 2017. FSSAI, by the present notice dated July 19, 2024, has issued a direction re-operationalizing this amendment regulation.
Key Aspects of the Amendment Regulations
These amendment regulations cover licensing procedures for e-commerce food businesses, documentation requirements for new restaurant licenses, license conditions for restaurants, and hygiene standards for all food business operators (FBOs), including those establishing small slaughterhouses.
Background
The regulations were implemented by the Food Authority under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, coming into effect on various dates between 2018 and 2023, with some provisions also enforced on specific dates in 2020 and 2021.
The draft regulations were notified on November 17, 2020 for feedback, and the final amendment regulation is still being processed. To ensure food safety and fair practices, the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Amendment Regulations, 2021 will be re-operationalized from May 11, 2024.
Adherence to Regulations
Food business operators must adhere to these regulations, however, they will be enforced only after their final notification in the Gazette of India. Additionally, it is pertinent to note that the amendment revising licence modification fee is already in effect since March 27, 2020.
FSSAI may issue Improvement notices to FBOs for compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) by food business in these draft amendment regulations.
