The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has directed food businesses to submit the annual returns online only and the authority has asked the licensing authorities across India to refrain from insisting on physical submission of the annual returns.
The food authority has already passed an order regarding mandatory online submission of the annual returns for FY 2020-21 by FBOs involved in manufacturing and importing of food products through Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) in December last year.
The FSSAI has stated, “The Licensing Authorities shall ensure 100% implementation of the order under their jurisdiction by 31st August 2021.”
Licensed FBOs need to submit the annual returns by May 31 of each fiscal, which was possible physically in the past due to unavailability of online provisions. In December order, the FSSAI had stated that online submission through FoSCoS shall be made compulsory for the FBOs with effect from FY 2020-21 while the window for return filing shall open from April 1, 2021, onwards.
Delay can attract a fine of Rs 100 per day beyond the last date, the FSSAI direction read.
FSSAI has also asked the state food safety departments to make food businesses aware of the ‘mandatory online submission of the annual return order’ and facilitate online returns only through FoSCoS. According to an official with the FSSAI, the matter was discussed at the recently held meeting of the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) and it was decided that special camps should be organised for the purpose.
Also the state authorities were directed to levy fines on errant FBOs
FSSAI Directs Food Businesses to Submit Annual Returns Online Only
