How to file for FSSAI Annual Return?

Government of India has introduced the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 with the motive to regulate and prevent the food industry. The Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, consists of laws that direct the sale, manufacturing, storage, distribution, and import of food items within the country. Obtaining an FSSAI license is mandatory for all the food business operators. Showing off the license within the premises and displaying a license number on the labeling and packaging of the food product is also a compulsory thing for them to do. It is essential for food business operators with an FSSAI license to file for FSSAI Annual Return.

The term food safety guarantees that food is healthy and clean and is free from diseases like stomach aches, poisoning etc. To ensure the purity of food and packed food items the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 was enacted. It has framed the food safety laws and regulates the food industry relating to manufacturing, sale, storage, distribution, and import.

Kinds of Annual Return laid down under the FSSAI Act:

Who should file the FSSAI Annual Return?

Businesses involved in food manufacturing, importing, exporting, selling are required to file for the FSSAI annual return. Those who are involved in the manufacturing and distribution of milk should file for a half-yearly return.

Each FBO with the business turnover equivalent to or surpassing Rs. 12 lakhs.

How to file FSSAI Annual Return?

The business operators can file for FSSAI annual return as per their convenience. The annual return form is available in two forms; the operator can fill it either electronically or physically since the form is available in physical format as well.

The Details to Be Included In The FSSAI Annual Return Form Are As Follows:

·         Food product name which is being manufactured, exported, imported or handled.

·         Bottle size, can size or size of any other package

·         Quantity in metric ton

·         Value

·         Quantity in kgs which is being exported or imported

·         Selling price per unit of packaging or per kg

·         Name of the countries where food products are exported

·         Rate per unit or per kg of packaging CIF/FOB

·         Mandatory FSSAI Annual Return

It is compulsory for food business operators to file for FSSAI Annual Return. There are two kinds of return and these are:

Ø  FSSAI Form D1

Ø  FSSAI Form D2

FSSAI Returns	Due Dates	To Be Filed By
Form D1	31st May	Every food manufacturer, importer etc.
Form D2 (Half-Yearly Return)	30th September/30th March	Manufacturer of milk/milk products

FSSAI Form D1

Food business units involved in manufacturing, importing, labelling, packing, re-labelling, and re-packing needs to file for FSSAI Form D1, filling form D1 is mandatory for them. The form is prescribed by the Food Safety Commissioner and is a mandatory thing for the FBOs irrespective of the production they are involved in.

The FSSAI annual return, Form D1 should be filed on or before 31st May of every fiscal year. The form is filed with the Licensing Authority depending upon the type of food products sold by the FBO in the preceding financial year.

FSSAI Form D2

Form D2 is filed half-yearly and not every food business operator is eligible to file Form D2. Instead, FSSAI license holders who are involved in the manufacturing and distribution of milk or milk products can file Form D2.

Form D2 is filled from 1st April to 30th September and from 1st October to 31st March of every financial year.

Penalty for Late filing of FSSAI Annual Return

According to Section 2.1.13 (3) of FSS (Licensing and Registration) Regulations, 2011, if the food business administrators don't record the return within the prescribed time period, at that point a fine of Rs 100 will be forced on them consistently and will continue expanding if the default proceeds.

Additional Regulations under the FSSAI Act

A food business must comply with the given mentioned compliances:

·         FSSAI rules states factory’s sanitary and hygiene and also keep a record of worker’s hygiene.

·         Keep up day by day records of creation, crude materials, use, and sales independently.

·         Guarantee that the source and norms of raw material utilized are of ideal quality.

·         Not to produce, store or expose for sale, any article of food in any premises. That is close by or part of any privy, urinal, sullage, channel or spot of capacity of waste issue.

·         On a daily basis, clean the machines and other equipment.

·         Guarantee testing of pertinent synthetic as well as microbiological contaminants in food items, at any rate once in a half year.

·         Guarantees that the temperature is exact all through the store network. From the spot of obtainment or sourcing until it arrives at the end buyer.

What are the Consequences of Non-Compliance of FSSAI Registration?

Registered or a licensed person under the FSSAI has to comply with the rules and regulation under the Food and Safety Standards Act, 2006. Food safety officer regulates the inspection of the food business and identifies the level of compliance with the law using a checklist.

 Based on the compliance level, food safety officer marks the compliance as:

•           Compliance

•           Non-compliance

•           Partial compliance

•           Not applicable

The food safety officer might issue an improvement notice as per Sec 32 of the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006. If the business operator fails to comply with the notice, the officer may cancel his license. If any food business operator is offended by the improvement notice can appeal to the State Commissioner of Food Safety. The decision can be challenged by appealing to Food safety appellate tribunal or high court.

Who needs FSSAI registration in India?

The following individuals and entities are required to obtain the registration-

·         All types of food producer

·         Food storage and production units

·         Wholesalers

·         Food traders

·         Online food business operators

·         Raw food products suppliers

·         Exporter and importer of food products

·         Transporter of food products

·         Distributors of food products

Conclusion

The Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, consists of laws that direct the sale, manufacturing, storage, distribution, and import of food items within the country. Obtaining an FSSAI license is mandatory for all the food business operators. Showing off the license within the premises and displaying a license number on the labeling and packaging of the food product is also a compulsory thing for them to do. It is essential for food business operators with an FSSAI license to file for FSSAI Annual Return. In case of any query, contact Corpbiz.