FSSAI has published an order dated 23 November 2016 regarding the use of pre-printed packaging material. The FSSAI has stated that it has been receiving a number of representations from Food Business Operators (FBOs) who are seeking permission to use pre-printed packaging material.
According to the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulation 2011, the labels of pre-packaged foods need to have some mandatory information which among other things includes the FSSAI license no., name and address of the manufacturer. A number of FBOs have pre-printed packaging material in bulk and they wish to use this even through there has been a change or modification of address and name or change in license number. Any change in the printed label information would require that the existing pre-printed packaging material would need to be destroyed and new packaging material would have to be acquired and the food manufacturing companies would incur a huge cost.
Keeping this in mind the FSSAI has decided to grant permission to FBOs to use pre-printed packaging material which would otherwise just be wasted. The pre-printed packaging material would be permitted to contain the old name/address or license number of the FBO as the case might be. However, the permission is being granted
- only for a period of six months
- a nominal fee would be charged for the same
- a formal request has to be made in writing to the FSSAI
- on a request for extension double the fee would be charged
Fee | Central License | State License |
1st Extension (6months) | Rs.7500/- | Rs.3000/- |
2nd Extension (next six months | Rs.15.000/- | Rs.6000/- |
The above fee will be paid by Demand Draft in favour of Senior Accounts Officer, FSSAI. The FBO would also be required to enclose a copy of the modified/ new license with requisite changes along with the formal request.
About printed packaging material
Packaging material is often considered to be the face of the product. Therefore, FBOs take great pain in getting the material printed according to their requirements. It serves as an advertisement, because it is the only source of information for the prospective buyers. Sometimes the package is designed with appropriate images as that can boost sales. Besides packaging also provides various kinds of information to the consumers, like brand and product identification, nutritional value of product, use by and best before dates, storage instructions, how to use or cooking instructions with images, ingredients and net weight.
The printed packaging also include all the regulatory label requirements that are to be included by law. These are some of the important information available on pre-printed packaging material and so FBOs would like to use the existing material before they get new printed packaging material.
sonali negi says
Hi Thanks for the above information. Its a great relief to know this.
However would like to know how to go about this process.
Is there any form to be filled and submitted at the FSSAI?
How shall i convey this ahead to the fssai officer?
Kindly do let us know further.
Thank you