Requirement to file Annual/Half year return by Registered FSSAI Business

Returns filing requirements by FSSAI Registered FBO

What law says?

As per clause 2.1.13 of FOOD SAFETY AND STANDARDS (LICENSING AND REGISTRATION OF FOOD BUSINESSES), REGULATIONS 2011 

• Every licensee shall file annually return for preceding year.
• Every licensee engaged in manufacturing of milk and/or milk products 
  shall file half yearly returns for the preceding half year.
• Submit a return electronically or in physical form as may be prescribed
• To the Licensing Authority 
• in respect of each class of food products handled by him during the previous financial year.

Also Condition no 5 of Conditions of licence Food Business Operators (FBO) shall furnish annual return And FBO engaged in business of collection/ handling/manufacturing of Milk and Milk Products shall furnish half yearly return.

Hence by above laws, it is concluded that laws talk about Annual Return & half year return only. 

Time & form of return to be filed?

All Licensed Food Business Operators (FBO) involved in manufacturing/processing including Relabellers/Repackers and Importers are required to submit annual return of their food business in Form D-1 for every preceding year by 31st May. 

FBO involved in manufacturing/processing of Milk and Milk products are required to submit half yearly return in Form D-2 within one month of the end of the preceding half year i.e April to September and October to March.

Whether any penalty for non filing?

As per clause 2.1.13 of FSS (LICENSING AND REGISTRATION OF FOOD BUSINESSES), REGULATIONS 2011, If any delay in filing return beyond the specified period above i.e. 31st May or One month (as the case may be) shall attract a penalty of Rs 100 per day of delay.

Whether any Extension due to COVID 19?

Due to COVID -19 pandemic difficulties were being faced by the FBO in submission of annual & half yearly returns during lockdown. Timeline for submission of annual return for FY 2019-20 and half yearly return for October 2019 -March, 2020 was extended till 31st July, 2020.

FBO shall send their returns as per the form D1 or D2 through email/physical copies to concerned licensing authorities. The list of licensing authorities is available on the website of FSSAI. 

Central Licence  https://fssai.gov.in/cms/designated-officer.php

State Licence https://fssai.gov.in/cms/commissioners-of-food-safety.php

Source :- https://fssai.gov.in/advisories.php