Latest Updates

Sl No.	Subject	Date	w.e.f.	Summary	Impact on Licensing	Impact on Compliance
1	Direction under Section 18 (2) (d) read with Section 16 (5) of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 regarding operationalisation of Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2021 relating to limit of naturally occurring formaldehyde in freshwater and marine fish.	13/09/2021	13/09/2021	The limit of naturally occurring formaldehyde in freshwater and marine fish is specified	Declaration by Applicant to comply, if applicable	Declaration by nominated Person to comply, if applicable
2	Direction under Section 16 (5) of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 w.r.t. Applicability of Food Category / additives for the products Mouth Freshners and related products -reg	22/09/2021	22/09/2021	A new sub-category under the food -category ‘5.2 Confectionary’ to be created as ‘Mouth Freshner’ with following classification: 5.2.4 Mouth Fresheners 5.2.4.1 Dried fruits/vegetables/nut based mouth freshners 5.2.4.2 Spice based mouth fresheners 5.2.4.3 Other traditional mouth fresheners not covered under 5.2.4.1 and 5.2.4.2	Declaration of no-mouth freshners, if applicable Declaration of adherence to creation of sub-category under Motuh freshners indicating exact classification	Inclusion of classification of mouth freshners in FSSAI SOP Warehouse Inventory to be updated with appropriate classification
3	F. No. 1-116/Scientific Committee/Notif.28.6/2010-FSSAI	22/09/2021	01/04/2022	Any manufacturer who fortifies any food shall ensure that the level of added micronutrients on label of such fortified food shall fall within the range specified in Schedule-I.	Declaration by Applicant to comply, if applicable	Updated labelling to be implemented indicating adherence to Schedule I Certification by Nominated Person indicating compliance with Schedule 1
4	F. No. Stds/SP-18/A-1.12/N-1.	27/08/2021	01/03/2022	1. Every package of food, fortified with Iron shall carry a statement ―People with Thalassemia may take under medical supervision and persons with Sickle Cell Anaemia are advised not to consume iron fortified food products 2. ‘Iodine Content’ should be substituted by Component, Level of nutrients and Source of Nutrients 3. ‘Fortified Raw Rice‘ should be substituted by 6. Fortified Rice	Declaration by Applicant to comply, if applicable	Updated labelling to be implemented FSSAI SOP to be updated Inventory Checklist List to be updated to ascertain compliance Certification by Nominated Person
5	Food businesses manufacturing products covered under Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016 to be covered under the purview of Central Licensing Authorities-reg	16/09/2020	16/09/2020	The products manufactured by Food businesses operators (FBOs) are covered under Food Safety and Standards (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food and Novel Food) Regulations, 2016 known as ‘Nutraceutical Regulations’ are being licensed by the State (bearing the production capacity of 2 MT per day) as well as the Central Licensing Authorities( bearing the production capacity of more than 2 MT per day). As per the order dated 16.10.2020 by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, Nutraceutical Regulations will be covered under central Licensing Authorities only.	1. All state licenses under Nutraceutical Regulations to be migrated to Central License with a modification Fee of INR 1000/- by 31.12.2021 2. State Licenses under Nutraceutical Regulations shall not be able to apply for renewals after 31.12.2021	FSSAI SOP to be updated accordingly Timelines to be set for migration before 31.12.2021
6	Complaint against plant based food manufacturers for using the word Milk and other dairy terms in labels of plant based beverages and products-Reg	01/09/2021		As per the intimation dated 01.10.2021 by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India to all the FBOs, use of any dairy term for a product which is not milk, milk product or a composite milk product (coconut milk, peanut butter etc) is prohibited and any such action is in contravention of the General Standard for Milk and Milk Products’ under the ‘Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.	Delisting of defaulting products that are in contravention of the order Declaration of compliance and confirmation to delist such products, if applicable	Review of Labelling SOP and ensuring compliance with the labelling requirements Removal of contravening products from Warehouse/Online Platform Declaration of compliance and confirmation to delist such products, if applicable
7	Amendment of Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) First Amendment Regulations, 2020	10/09/2021	17/11/2021	FOOD SAFETY AND STANDARDS AUTHORITY OF INDIA vide notification Std/SP-08/A-1.2019/N-02 dated 10/09/2021 orders all FBOs to inscribe newly notified declarations on the labels of ingredients/additives, certain Articles of food, Sweetners, Edible Oils etc.	Declaration of compliance, if applicable	Major overhaul of labelling SOP Cross-checking all labels at the Inventory Stage Implementation of labels in compliance with the Order

FSSAI Head Office issues advisory to Central/State Authorities regarding delay in license renewal

The FSSAI Head Office has issued an advisory to Central/State Commissioners of Food Safety and all Designated Officers to ensure early facilitation of renewal of licenses. The advisory states that the FSSAI Head Office has been receiving complaints about inordinate delays renewal of license, owing to non-confirmation of receipt of annual returns (Form D-1 & D-2). Noting that practice of holding renewal applications pending filing of return is impractical, the Head Office has advised to do away with process. However, non-compliance by an FBO shall be dealt with as per law.

Revised list of Documents for FSSAI License application issued by FSSAI Head Office

The FSSAI Head Office has issued an order after reviewing the document checklist required for filing of FSSAI Licenses/Registration by segregating the Kind of Business (KOB) into Manufacturing & non-manufacturing business.
A list of other documents irrespective of KOBs have also been issued, which shall be applicable for all kind of FSSAI applicants. The order also includes documents required for renewal & modification.

FSSAI Update: ‘informed choice’ through changes in frontside of packing labels

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is deliberating on implementing a printing requirement on the front of the pack labelling to indicate information on fat, salt & sugar content. This is being done to help consumers make ‘informed choices’ on nutrition. Earlier such information was required to be provided on the back side of the labels. This is a direct result of FSSAI’s continuous consultations with stakeholders to address the issues of junk food, as highlighted by the Delhi High Court while hearing a PIL plea against ‘junk food’ about ten years back. Recently, the Food body has notified rules for the fortified processed food including cereal products, bakery wares and fruit juices however the food products high on fat, salt and sugar have currently been excluded from these regulations.