The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released a new directive that requires Food Business Operators (FBOs) whose licenses or registrations expired during the 2024-25 financial year to file a mandatory Closure Report. This directive, aimed at tightening food safety oversight, was officially issued on May 16, 2025.
What Do FBOs Need to Report at FSSAI?
Under the new rule, FBOs must report whether business activities have stopped at the location tied to the expired license. If the food business is still operating, they are expected to confirm that a new FSSAI license or registration has been obtained. In addition, operators must explain why the original license was not renewed.
The requirement to submit a Closure Report isn’t limited to current cases only. FSSAI has made it clear that this mandate applies to all instances of license or registration expiry going forward. FBOs will have to detail whether operations have ceased or continued, and if so, with which valid documentation.
Where and How to Submit Reports?
All submissions must be made online through the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal. The FSSAI emphasized that this process is part of its efforts to promote transparency and accountability in the food business sector.
FSSAI has emphasized the importance of acurate and timely digital submissions to ensure regulatory data integrity. This move is intended to streamline compliance monitoring and reduce the risk of unauthorized operations continuing undetected.
Penalties for Non-Compliance in FSSAI
Continuing to operate a food business without a valid license is a direct violation of Section 31 of the Food Safety and Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006, and may attract penalties under Section 63, which includes fines of up to Rs. 10 lakh. Beyond monetary penalties, repeated non-compliance could result in suspension or cancellation of the operator’s right to apply for future licenses, legal proceedings, or even closure of the establishment.
Guidance Provided for Easy Filing
To make compliance easier, FSSAI has released a step-by-step user manual. The manual helps FBOs navigate the FoSCoS portal to file their Closure Report. It explains how to log in, access the ‘Expired License/Registration’ section, and choose from options such as confirming business closure, providing a new license number, or entering renewal details.
Outreach and Compliance Encouragement
To ensure widespread awareness, email notifications will be sent to all FBOs affected by license expiry during FY 2024-25. FSSAI strongly encourages immediate compliance with the directive to prevent penalties and ensure food safety obligations are met.
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Date- 2 to 6 June, 2025 Time- 7 PM to 10 PM Fee – Rs 3000
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