Through an order dated 30 September, 2021 the FSSAI has rescheduled the enforcement of the mandatory mentioning of FSSAI License / Registration number on receipt / invoices / cash memo / bills etc. by Food Business Operators on sale of food products.
It may be recalled that through an order dated 8 June 2021 the FSSAI had mandated that all Food Business Operators must mention the 14 – digit FSSAI License/ Registration number on receipts, invoices, cash memos, bills, etc. on sale of food products with effect from 1 October 2021.
The FSSAI, through this new order, now states that in view of the representation from various Industries Associations and Stakeholders it has been decided with the approval of the Competent Authority that the enforcement of the order dated 8 June 2021 will now come into effect from 1 January 2022.
The order dated 8 June 2021 States why FSSAI has made it mandatory to mention the 14-digit FSSAI License/ Registration Number. Below, in brief are the reasons mentioned by FSSAI as to why bills, cash memos, invoices must have FSSAI license/ registration number, on sale of products.
- FSSAI has stated that complaint redressal is an important aspect of a robust regulatory system. However, if the FSSAI number is not available to consumers/ service recipients then redressal of complaints becomes an uphill task.
- If the FSSAI License/ Registration number is available then through it the consumer can lodge an online complaint against a particular food business using the FSSAI number.
- FSSAI also states that no database can be created without a unique locator code, which in case of food safety, is the FSSAI number.
- Through the FSSAI License/ Registration number consumers will have access to information about a particular food business which is publicly available on FSSAI’s portals. Consumers can visit the FSSAI portal and the ‘Food Safety Connect’ app for accessing information about FSSAI License or Registration by inputting the 14-digit FSSAI License/Registration number.
- Mentioning the FSSAI number will help in improving the traceability of food products.
- Presently, it is compulsory to display the FSSAI number on packaged food labels but the issue lies especially in case of establishments such as restaurants, mithai shops, caterers and even retail stores etc.
- Mentioning the FSSAI number shall also improve the overall awareness of FSSAI. If the number is not mentioned, it shall indicate non-compliance or non-registration/licensing by the food business.
The Food Authority has now approved and decided to mandate the declaration of 14-digit FSSAI License or Registration number on cash receipts/ purchase invoices/cash memo /bills etc. by all food businesses. When any operator issues 2 transaction documents, such as in the case of transporters issuing transport challan/ Bill etc. and an invoice, then FSSAI number needs to be mentioned on both documents. The only exemption will be the GST e-way bill and such other government documents which are system generated.
SOURCE: FSSAI
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