FSSAI Food License

Why FSSAI Annual Return Is Required?

FSSAI aka The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India has been established under the Food Safety and Standard Act 2006.  The purpose of FSSAI is to combine various acts and orders that control food-related issues in various Departments and Ministries. The purpose of forming FSSAI is to lay down science-based standards for food articles and to regulate their distribution, storage, manufacture, sale, and import. It makes sure that safe and quality food is always available for consumption. 

Highlights of the Food Safety And Standard Act, 2006

Various central Acts like Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954, Fruit Products Order, 1955, Meat Food Products Order 1973. Vegetable Oil Products (Control) Order, 1947, Edible Oils Packaging (Regulation) Order 1988, Solvent Extracted Oil, De-Oiled Meal and Edible Flour (Control) Order, 1967, Milk and Milk Products Order, 1992, etc will be replaced after the commencement of FSS Act, 2006.

Is FSSAI Registration Mandatory?

FSSAI is nothing but a certificate of the safety of food products supplied provided by the food authority of the Indian government.

If you are planning to step into the food business operation then obtaining a FSSAI certificate is essential and mandatory in India.

As per the rules and regulations provided by the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, Registering FSSAI License is compulsory for the following individuals or entities:

Types of FSSAI Registration

Basic FSSAI Registration

Petty food business operators should get their basic FSSAI registration done. It is also called Basic FSSAI License. Business whose turnover does not cross the limit of Rs12 lakh per annum needs this registration. Hawker, itinerant vendors, petty retailers, or temporary stall holders come under this category.

State FSSAI License

Food businesses whose annual turnover ranges between Rs12lakh -20 crore additionally or annually need the license of State FSSAI. The turnover limit is the same for an FSSAI State Manufacturing License or FSSAI State trading license.

Central FSSAI License

Food business units with an annual turnover of more than 20 crores need the license of Central FSSAI. The certain limit is specified by law for trading, manufacturing or storage units.

What is FSSAI Annual Returns?

Obtaining a food license before the start of any food business is not enough. It is equally important to comply with the FSSAI compliances and the filing of annual returns.

To file for the annual return is mandatory for all the food business operators who have acquired the food license and have an annual turnover of Rs 12lakh. The annual return should be filed within the prescribed time. In case any food unit fails to file the return within the stipulated time period then the unit is liable to pay penalty.

Essentials to Keep In Mind While Annual Returns

Every FBO must provide the following information in the form at the time of filing FSSAI annual return:

• Name of the food product manufactured/handled/sol/imported/exported
• Quantity in Metric Tons
• Size of bottle/can/any other package (like PP) or bulk package
• Value
• The selling price of per kg or per unit of packing
• The quantity exported or imported in kg
• Rate per kg or per unit of packing CIF/ FOB
• Information of countries or ports where they are exported

FSSAI Annual Returns

Two kinds of returns are compulsory for food businesses. They are as follows:

• FSSAI Form D1

It is mandatory for all the food manufacturing units, labelers, re-labelers, importers, packers, and re-packers to file for FSSAI Form D1. They can fill it either online or in physical form as directed by the Food Safety Commissioner.

The FSSAI annual return, Form D1 should be filed on or before 31^st May of every financial year to the Licensing Authority depending on the types of food products sold by the FBO in the preceding financial year.

• FSSAI Form D2

FSSAI Form D2 is not for every food business operator. It is a half-yearly return and the companies involved in the manufacturing or importing of milk or milk products need to file this.

FSSAI annual return, Form D2 must be filed on a half-yearly basis. The time period for filing this return is from 1^st April to 30^th September and from 1^st October to 31^st March of every financial year.

Also, Read: FSSAI Registration for Restaurant Business in India

Penalty for Delay Filing of Annual Returns

Section 2.1.13 (3) of FSS (Licensing and Registration) Regulations, 2011^[1], says that if the company fails to file for the annual return within the stipulated time frame then a fine of Rs100 will be imposed on them every day and it will keep on increasing till the date they don’t file annual return.

Role of Enterslice with FSSAI Annual Return Filing

Sometimes filing for returns can be tiresome and daunting especially if you are a small eatery, grocery, food distributor, and restaurant on their own. We at Enterslice make sure that you won’t face any problem regarding filing the annual returns on time.