FSSAI Issues Clarification Regarding Licensing Registration of FBOs Manufacturing Indian Sweets Snacks and Savouries

FSSAI has issued a clarification dated 01 October, 2021 regarding Licensing / Registration of FBO manufacturing Indian Sweets and Snacks & Savouries. 

FSSAI has stated that it is in receipt of representations from various stakeholders and industry associations citing difficulties which are being faced by them while complying with the provisions of the order dated 19 July 2021 on the issue of licensing and registration. 

The FSSAI has examined the issue and has given the following clarifications in the matter to facilitate the compliance by the Food Business Operators (FBOs)

• FBOs who are manufacturing Indian Sweets, Snacks and Savouries products which are already licensed under proprietary foods need not get their license modified under the new category 18 or any sub-categories under food category 18.
• FBOs who are manufacturing Indian Sweets, Snacks and Savouries may either obtain their license under Proprietary Food with the nearest food category or License / Registration under Food Category 18 or any other sub-categories under Food Category 18.
• The FBOs who obtain license/registration under Food Category 18 shall not be bound to mention the food category or sub-categories on the label of such products. The said requirement is only in case of Proprietary Foods, wherein the nearest category is to be declared on the product label. 
• FBOs who have already modified their licenses from proprietary Foods to Food Category 18 may approach the FSSAI for the request to grant permission to use existing pre-printed packaging material with the label of proprietary Food. The same shall be considered and granted on case-to -case basis as per the instructions or orders in vogue. 

In order dated 19 July 2021 the FSSAI had stated that to ease out the licensing / registrations for such small and medium food businesses manufacturing Sweets and Snacks & Savouries, the FSSAI has decided to assign the Food Product Category 18 in the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) under ‘General Manufacturing’ Kind of Business. This will enable such FBOs involved in manufacturing of Indian Sweets and Snacks & Savouries to apply for registration, State License or Central License, as per the eligibility criteria based on their production capacity and turnover.

SOURCE: FSSAI