Mandating the mentioning of FSSAI License/Registration number on Receipt/Invoices/Cash Memo/Bills etc. by Food Businesses on Sale of Food Products-reg.
FSSAI is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the regulation and supervision of food safety. The foremost responsibility of FSSAI includes the development of Science-based Food Standards for articles of food and food products and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale, and import to ensure the availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
Its Constitutions: The FSSAI is headed by a non-executive Chairperson, appointed by the Central Government, either holding or has held the position of not below the rank of Secretary to the Government of India. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body established under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
In 2021, with the aim of benefitting industries involved in manufacturing, handling, packaging, and selling of food items, FSSAI decided to grant perpetual licenses to restaurants and food manufacturers on the condition that they file their returns every year.
And here we will discuss the Order dtd. 8th June 2021, passed by Statutory Authority under FSSAI Act,2006.
Section 31 of the FSSAI Act,2006 mandates every Food Business operator to obtain an FSSAI License/Registration number prior to commence any food Business and implementation of the Act. Rules & Regulation depends on the FSSAI License/Registration number. The food business ecosystem is very large and it is not easy to locate Food Business operator especially when it comes to redress the complaint filed by customers without FSSAI License/Reg. number(FSSAI Number) of Food Business Operator.
Presently FSSAI Number is Compulsory to be displayed on Packaged food labels but the issue arise especially in the case of Businesses like Restaurants, methai shops, caterers even retail stores, etc. FSSAI Regulations mandates to display of the “Food Safety Display Board” at all the time at prominent places in case of Restaurants. However, there remains a deficit of mechanisms for consumers to know FSSAI number of Services/Product providers,
Now, with the Approval of the Food Authority, it has been decided to mandate the declaration of 14-digit FSSAI number on Cash Receipt/Purchase invoices/cash memos/bills,s, etc. by all food businesses. when any operators issues 2 transaction documents such as in the case of transporters issuing transport challan/ bills etc and an invoice, the FSSAI number needs to be mentioned on both documents. The only exemption will be the GST e-way bill and such other govt. documents which are system generated.
It shall enable the consumers to have access to information about particular food business which is publicly available at FSSAI’s portals. in case of any grievance, a consumer can lodge an online complaint against a particular food business using the FSSAI number.
No new transaction document is being mandated to be issued. The Policy seek to leverage the existing commercial transaction practice and the regulatory requirements under Tax Laws, Thus FSSAI Seek to maintain minimum compliance cost and still have enhance data dissemination and disclosure.
In the view of the above, Food business shall be required to maintain FSSAI number on documents mentioned above. Licensing and Registration authorities are directed to widely publicise the policy and shall ensure its implementation mandatorily wef 1st Oct.2021.
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