The latest FSSAI deadline for licensing and registration of food business operators (FBOs) under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Business) Regulations, 2011, that ended on May 4, 2016, has been given another three-month extension till August 4, 2016. The extension has been approved by the ministry of health and family welfare and a message in this regard was conveyed to FSSAI on Monday.
While speaking to FnB News, Rakesh Chandra Sharma, director (enforcement), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), confirmed, “For the benefit of FBOs, once again the deadline for licensing and registration will be extended till August 4, 2016. The decision is taken and passed by ministry of health & family welfare.”
Explaining further, he stated, “We asked for time for the decision. The decision came from the health ministry, though due to some work, it was delayed.”
Meanwhile, a source from FSSAI, informed, “FBOs will be given extension for next three months. The official notification on the same would be notified by FSSAI in a couple of days.”
He added, “This will be the last chance given to FBOs to get registered or licensed.”
The decision came almost a month after the last deadline ended, as FSSAI was opposed to further extension but traders were demanding it.
Licensing and registration has remained a cause of concern for the food regulator ever since the implementation of FSSR, 2011, in the country. In spite of consistent efforts on the part of FSSAI and several extensions - the latest being seventh - most FBOs failed to comply. Out of 5 crore FBOs in the country, around 35 lakh have succeeded in obtaining licence or securing registration.
