The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced a significant waiver for hawkers operating in the country. This order of waiver was issued on September 30, 2024.
Effective September 28, 2024, hawkers will no longer be required to pay registration fees under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
Who is a hawker?
A hawker means a person involved in selling packaged or freshly prepared food by travelling (usually on foot or movable carts) from one location to other. Hawkers may be itinerant or may be a mobile food vendor.
Background of Registration Requirements
It may be recalled that under FSS Licensing Regulations, all petty Food Business Operators (FBOs), including hawkers, are mandated to register with the FSSAI by submitting Form A and paying a fee of Rs. 100 per year.
The FSSAI has now decided to waive this registration fee for hawkers. Hawkers will receive a registration certificate valid for five years, eliminating the previous option to choose a shorter duration.
However, it is pertinent to note that fees paid for registration applications submitted before September 28, 2024, will not be refunded.
Benefits for Hawkers
This fee waiver provides financial relief to hawkers, who often operate on a small scale. It also simplifies the registration process, making it easier for them to comply with food safety regulations.
How to Register
Hawkers can register under the on the FSSAI’s online platform, FoSCoS.
This initiative is expected to encourage more hawkers to register with the FSSAI, leading to better oversight of food safety practices in the informal sector.
