To ensure uninterrupted food services or supply during the lockdown in the country due to coronavirus pandemic. Tt has been allowed to food business operators (FBO) other than manufacturers to temporarily operate their food business under FSS act, subject to compliance with FSS act, 2006 and rules and regulations, on the basis of a valid receipt of FSSAI license registration application having 17 digit application reference number generated on food licensing and registration system (FLRS).
The order also stated that FBOs will be required to have applied for FSSAI license or registration by making an online application with the prescribed fee through online mode on FLRS and posses a valid receipt of application. Further, FBO shall be required to inform by email to the concerned licensing or registering authority about commencing his food business, enclosing a scanned copy of the application. In addition, all the FBOs should respond to the queries on the application, if raised by the authorities and shall be bound to follow all the instructions as given by the authorities. Incase his application is rejected by the authorities, even in the lockdown period itself, FBO needs to stop all his business activities immediately.
“This permission is available only to those applicants who are allowed to operate in the lockdown period. The FBO shall cease his operations related to food at the said premises within 30 days after lockdown ends unless he has obtained a valid FSSAI license or registration as applicable,” order states.
In case of state or union territory-specific lockdown, the permission is valid only to specific state or union territory only. However, the state or union territories may restrict this permission to a certain kind of business depending upon the exigencies during the lockdown. It is again certified that this permission is not for FBOs applying for FSSAI licensing or registration for manufacture kind of business (KoB).
Subodh Jain, executive director of compliance strategy at FSSAI said, “Commissioners of food safety are advised to supervise the scheme which is for the facilitation for the food business operators in the public interest, during the period of lockdown. Once the lockdown ends, the commissioner of food safety must ensure that the FBOs who have availed the permission of operating based on 17-digit ARN generated on FLRS, shall cease operations within 30 days from the end of lockdown period.”
He also directed that the commissioners of food safety shall also ensure that the applications shall be processed on priority, and the approvals granted expeditiously for the license or registration applied. In case required, the approvals are subject to either physical or e-inspection and FBOs are required to comply with the observations of the inspection.
IndiFoodBev — authentic, impactful and influential
An English-language food and beverage processing and packaging industry B2B platform in print and web, IndiFoodBev is in its third year of publication. It is said that the Indian food and beverage industries represent approximately US$ 900 billion in revenues which implies more than 20% of the country’s GDP. Eliminating the wastage on the farmside can help to deliver more protein to a higher number of the population apart from generating sizable exports. The savings in soil, seeds, water, fertilizer, energy and ultimately food and nutrition could be the most immense contribution that country is poised to make to the moderation of climate change.
To improve your marketing and grow sales to the food and beverage processing and packaging industry, talk to us. Our research and consulting company IppStar [www.ippstar.org] can assess your potential and addressable markets in light of the competition. We can discuss marketing, communication, and sales strategies for market entry and growth.
Suppliers and service providers with a strategy and budget for targeted marketing can discuss using our hybrid print, web, video, and social media channels to create brand recognition linked to market relevance. Our technical writers are ready to meet you and your customers for content.
The second largest producer of fruit and vegetables in the world is continuously expanding processing capacities and delivery systems with appropriate innovative technologies. We cover product and consumer trends, nutrition, processing, research, equipment and packaging from farm to thali. Get our 2025 media kit and recalibrate your role in this dynamic market. Enhance your visibility and relevance to existing markets and turn potential customers into conversations. Ask for a sample copy of our bi-monthly in print or our weekly IndiFoodBev eZine each Wednesday.
For editorial info@ippgroup.in — for advertisement ads1@ippgroup.in and for subscriptions subscription@ippgroup.in
Naresh Khanna – 10 February 2025
Subscribe Now
