FBOs told to file annual returns before last date to avoid penalty

The Indian food regulator has asked food businesses to file the annual returns before the last date, to avoid any penalty. It is advised to all the eligible food business operators to strictly adhere to the timeline for filing annual return. It is to further mention that no request for waiver of penalty in case of delay / non-submission of annual return shall be considered, reads the order issued by the FSSAI.

Clause 2.1.13 of FSS (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, specifies the condition for submission of annual returns by manufacturers and importers by May 31 of every year for the food business activities conducted during the previous financial year.

The eligible FBOs include manufacturers [including repacker and relabeller], importer and manufacturer-exporters while the last date without penalty is May 31 every year. The Acceptable Mode of Submission is Online through FoSCoS (Food Safety Compliance System) only while the penalty for non-submission is Rs. 100 per day with effect from June 1 and Maximum Penalty is 5 times the Annual Licence Fee.