FSSAI Mandates Closure Report on Expiry of Food Business Licenses

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, has issued a new order requiring stricter compliance from Food Business Operators (FBOs) whose licenses or registrations have expired.

Mandatory Closure Report for Expired Licenses

All FBOs whose FSSAI License or Registration expired during FY 2024–25 must now submit a Closure Report. This report must confirm that no food business activity is being carried out under the expired license or registration number. Alternatively, businesses must state if they have obtained a new license or registration. They must also specify the reasons for the non-renewal.

Going forward, whenever an FSSAI License or Registration expires, FBOs are directed to submit the reasons for closure of business or non-renewal of the license through the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal. This requirement is intended to strengthen regulatory transparency and improve traceability within the food business licensing framework.

Strict Penalties for Non-Compliance

Operating a food business on an expired license or registration is a violation of Section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Such violations may result in penalties of up to ₹10 lakh under Section 63 of the Act.

FSSAI also reminded food businesses that notices titled ‘Notice for closure of food business’ are sent via email through the FoSCoS portal when licenses or registrations expire. Therefore, FBOs must ensure their email IDs in the portal are current to receive these important compliance notifications.

Support for Filing Closure Reasons

To assist FBOs, FSSAI has provided a user manual explaining the process to file the reasons for non-renewal of license or closure of business on the FoSCoS portal. The directive, issued with the approval of the Competent Authority, has been signed by Dr. Satyen Kumar Panda, Executive Director (Compliance Strategy), FSSAI.

Official Notification

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