The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India vide its notification dated 8th July 2021 has clarified that the testing of food products as per the condition of license no.12 shall be carried out by the manufacturers on the basis of financial year i.e. first half year from April to September and second Half Year from October to March.
As per the existing condition of license No.12 under FSS (Licensing and registration of food businesses) regulation 2011, the testing of relevant chemical or microbiological contaminants in food products in accordance with these regulations as frequently as required on the basis of historical data and risk assessment to ensure production and delivery of safe food through own or NABL accredited/FSSA notified labs at least once in 6 months.
Further, it is clarified that those food business operators who get their license issued in the last month of respective half-year shall be exempted from mandatory testing for that preceding & ending half year period.
Further, provided that the gap between two mandatory testing of the same food products shall not be less than 3 months.