Through an order dated 28 May 2020 the FSSAI has issued a notice regarding the modification of license by existing FSSAI licensed manufacturers and processors upon the launch of the FoSCoS. These directions are meant for only those Food Business Operators who are involved in manufacturing/ processing of food products including re-packers, re-labellers.
In its meeting held on 6th November 2019 the Food Authority had approved the proposal which was regarding the mapping of Standardized Food Products with Food Category System, for the purpose of licensing and registration of manufacturers. Consultation paper on this proposal was prepared, circulated and uploaded on FSSAI website on 17 December 2019 for comments and suggestions. The comments received have been thoroughly examined, and wherever needed, Standards Division, FSSAI has been consulted to finalize the mapping of Standardized Food Products with Food Category System. The documents on finalized mapping and the methodology for clubbing of various products under one group are available at www.foscos.fssai.gov.in
The key features of the selection-based approach for Standardised Products while applying for FSSAI License (only for Manufacturers/Processors) are as below:
- At present, while applying for license in FSSAI’s online system i.e. Food Licensing• and Registration System (FLRS – https://foodlicensing.fssai.gov.in), the manufacturer applicant has to type the name of food product he intends to manufacture in the text box provided on the webpage. The text box approach, with selection options for standardised products, has been replaced with the launch of the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS – https://foscos.fssai.gov.in)
- The change is only for manufacturer (including re-packer, re-labeller) of the food products. Manufacturer will have to select a standardized product only, out of list provided on the licensing platform. The standardised product shall have its classification as per food category system indicated for convenience. In case, your selected food product does not fall under standardized product, then the manufacturing FBO will have to apply under Proprietary Food, Non-specified Food or Supplements/Nutraceuticals as the case may be. In these cases, the text box approach will continue.
- Licensing for all Kinds of Businesses (KoBs) other than manufacturering, such as catering (food services), transporter, wholesaler, storage, e-Commerce etc. will continue to be on the basis of broad food product categories.
- Category 99 is a residual category for licensing purpose for products such as additives/processing aids/enzymes etc. It is proposed to continue the text box approach for category 99, as while some Food Additives and other substances have standards, there are many for which standards are still under development. At an appropriate time in the future, this category may also be considered to be moved to Standardised list approach.
- A new category 100 is being created only for the purpose of licensing, wherein standardised products, where the Food Category System has not been mapped, will be listed.
- Under the Food category 0 – Ready to eat Savouries and l6.0 – Prepared Food, there are no standardized food products; hence a manufacturer (say of ready to eat packets) needs to take Central Licence under Proprietary Food Category.
- Many manufacturers who have licences in wrong food category or have a license for non-standardized products as standardized food products in the previous system, will be required to get their license modified.
- In case of existing FBOs, holding valid licenses for manufacturing of food products, they shall be required to modify their existing license upon migrating to new system i.e. FoSCoS (https://foscos.fssai.gov.in) by selecting the products from an available list of standardised products. A window for modification of license, without any modification fee has been provided to such licensed manufacturers for period up to 31st December 2020.
Further, before such product migration to standardised products list, if their renewals of licenses get due, then renewal window for only one year will be provided once, instead of 1-5 years as specified in FSS (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011.
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