The apex food regulator has issued an order extending the period for modification of licence by existing FSSAI licensed manufacturers without modification fee.
The order says that the timeline is extended until June 30, 2021, consequent to a discussion held at FSSAI headquarters on the subject.
“It is informed that the period for modification of licence by existing FSSAI licensed manufacturers, without any modification fee is extended till June 30, 2021,” says the order, which is applicable only for manufacturers including re-packers and re-labellers.
In May this year, the FSSAI had issued the order for modification of the licences due to migration of the existing Food Licence and Registration System to Food Safety and Compliance System and the last date for the modification was fixed for December 31, 2020.
According to the FSSAI, in 2019, the food authority had approved the proposal regarding mapping of standardised food products with food category system for the purpose of licensing and registration of manufacturers and subsequently comments were invited and examined.
An official with the FSSAI informed that standardised products have classifications as per food category system and if the product does not fall under standardised category, the FBO needs to apply under proprietary food, non-specified food or supplements/nutraceuticals category as the case may be.
FSSAI says that in case of existing FBOs holding valid licensing for manufacturing of food products, they need to modify their existing licence upon migrating to the new system FoSCoS. The window period for modification was given till December 31, which now stands extended till June 30, 2021