FSSAI the Food safety regulator has mandated food business operators to mention FSSAI licence or registration number on cash receipts or purchase invoice with effect from October 1 this year.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has issued a latest order in this regard.
Since complaints remain unresolved due to lack of specific information, this move will help consumers who can lodge an online complaint against a particular food business using the FSSAI number, it said.
WHAT IS FSSAI FOOD LICENCE
FSSAI License means the permission or authorization by Food Safety Standards Authority of India which is famously called FSSAI Authority. It is the Government Authority which comes under Ministry of Health. After getting the Food License only, the food business operator is allowed to do food business in India.
FSSAI launched Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) wef 1st June 2020 replacing existing Food Licensing and Registration System. Food License Registration certificate is required to run a food product business. You have to register under Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to manufacture, distribute and transport food products.The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. It has been established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. FSSAI Certificate and License are same which ensures the quality, purity and other important factors the customers can rely upon.
WHY REGISTER UNDER FSSAI AND GET FoSCoS LICENCE
The FSSAI Registration is the legal process for all Food Business Operators (FBOs) in India to apply for getting the certificate that the available sold food is safe for human consumption.
“Licensing and registration authorities are directed to widely publicize the policy and shall ensure its implementation mandatory with effect from October 2, 2021,” the order said.
Mentioning of Licence number shall also improve the overall awareness, the regulator said if not mentioned, it will indicate non-compliance or non registration/licensing by the food business.
Stating that the food business ecosystem is large, the regulator said 14-digit FSSAI number of any food business operator is not “easily visible and available on consumer/service recipient.”
If this number is not available to consumers, expecting him to complain with complete coordinates is an uphill task. Even regulators find it difficult to trace the origin of complaint and attend to it promptly, it said.
The invoice helps establishing this trail. With mentioning of the FSSAI Licence number will help in improving traceability for food products, the regulator added.
No database can be created without a unique locator code, which in case of food safety is the FSSAI number.
With the approval of Food Authority, it has been decided to mandate declaration of 14-digit Licence or registration number on cash receipt / purchase invoices by all food business. The only exemption will be the GST e-way bill and such other government documents which are system generated.
It shall enable the consumers to have access to information about a particular food business which is publicly available at The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India portals. Consumers can visit the portal and “ Food Safety connect “ app for accessing information about FSSAI licence or registration by inputting the 14 digit Licence number.
Even in case of pre packaged food where the manufacturer’s FSSAI Licence number is printed on the pack, there exist a deficit of track and trace mechanism whereby the path of the package from a manufacturer to consumer can be traced. The invoice helps establishing this trail. With mentioning of the Licence number will help improving traceability for food products.
Those who operate canteen, mess, kitchen in the school will have to get Licence. Along with this, the food traders contracted by the Department of Mid Day Meal will also have to register with The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.
Presently, FSSAI Licence number is compulsory to be displayed on packaged food labels but the issue lies especially in case of establishments such as restaurants, mithai shops, caterers, even retail stores.
