FSSAI Modification

In May last year, the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) issued an order for modification of the licenses due to the migration of the existing Food Licence and Registration System (FLRS) to the Food Safety and Compliance System (FoSCoS) and the last date for the modification was fixed for June 30^th, 2021.

FSSAI says that in the case of existing FBOs holding valid licensing for manufacturing food products, they need to modify their existing license upon migrating to the new system FoSCoS. The FSSAI has now announced the extension of the period for modification of license by existing FSSAI licensed manufacturers without modification fee till 31^st October 2021.

Synopsis of FSSAI Notification

As per the Notification dated 16^th June 2021, FSSAI is decided to facilitate the Food Business Operator (FBOs) and ensure ease of doing business by providing the following relaxations.

As mentioned above, FSSAI has announced the extension of the period for modification of the FSSAI license without modification fee till October 31, 2021.
Further, it has been decided that such FSSAI-licensed manufacturers who do not modify their license by 31^st October 2021, shall be permitted to apply for modification of their FSSAI license with a fee up to December 31, 2021.
Therefore, no modification of the License would be permitted with effect from 1^st January 2022.

The FSSAI licensed manufacturers will not be permitted to apply for renewal of license from 1^st January 2022.

Modification of FSSAI License

Following the FSSAI Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) registration procedure, any registered Food Business Operator (FBO) can change, alter, or modify any given information in the Food License issued by the FSSAI. This particular process is known as the Modification of the FSSAI License. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 oversees the FSSAI Modification process under the supervision of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) authority.

FSSAI Modification is applicable only for the existing Food License holders. In case of cancellation of the same, an FBO is obliged to apply again after 3 month
In case of a change in ownership, the FBO is mandated to file a Modification of the FSSAI License. Along with that, the FBO will need to follow the Company Registration procedure as well.

Modification of License by Manufacturer upon launch of FoSCoS

In May this year, the FSSAI issued the order for modification of the licenses due to the migration of the existing Food Licence and Registration System (FLRS) to the Food Safety and Compliance System (FoSCoS), and the last date for the modification was fixed for December 31, 2020.

According to the FSSAI, in 2019, the food authority approved the proposal regarding the mapping of standardized food products with the food category system to license and registration of manufacturers and subsequently, comments were invited and examined.

Under the FLRS, the manufacturer applicant types the name of the food product to be manufactured in the text box provided while in the FoSCoS the manufacturers will have to select a standardized product only out of the list provided on the licensing platform.
FSSAI informed that standardized products have classifications as per the food category system and if the product does not fall under the standardized category, the FBO needs to apply under the proprietary food, non-specified food, or supplements/nutraceuticals category as the case may be.
FSSAI says that in the case of existing FBOs holding valid licensing for manufacturing food products, they need to modify their existing license upon migrating to the new system FoSCoS. The window period for modification was given till December 31, which now stands extended till October 31, 2021.

Eligibility to Apply for FSSAI Modification

As per the FSSAI Order dated 28^th May 2020, only selected categories of FBOs can now apply for a Modification of the FSSAI License.

Any Registered Food Business Operator
Food Manufacturers
Food Processing units
Food Repackers
Food Re-labellers
Food Distributors

Type of Modification of FSSAI License

Modification of FSSAI license or registration is of 2 types as follows:

Form C Modification – For the modification of information printed on Form C.
Non–Form C Modification – For the modification of supporting information and documents.