Why FSSAI Annual Return is required?

FSSAI (Food Safety and Standard Authority) has been introduced through the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006. FSSAI was established with the motive of ensuring that the availability of food in the country is safe for consumption. The Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 correlates to different Act(s) for this purpose.

FSSAI Annual Return: An Overview

As per the revised guidelines issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India in regards to the filing of Annual Return. This notification provides for the online submission of Annual Return by Food Business involved in manufacturing and importing of food products with effect from FY 2020-2021 through the latest Compliance System i.e. FOSCOS (Food Safety and Compliance System)

FSSAI License Holders are mandatorily required to file their annual return to FOSCOS before 31st May for the previous financial year as per the FSS (Licensing and Registration) Regulations, 2011.

Advantages of filing Annual Returns by Food Business Operators (FBOs):

• FBOs will be able to maintain their brand value in the market. 
• FBOs can avoid penalties and other consequences for non-compliance.
• FBOs receive digital reminders for the submission of annual returns.
• FBOs who are fully complied with as per the law can easily get government support.
• FBOs can avoid disruption in their business operations, which can be caused due to non-compliance with the annual return. 
• FBOs will not be required to maintain physical receipts and records.
• These compliances can be helpful for maintaining national-level databases for the purpose of analysis.

FBOs who are exempt from filing their Annual FSSAI Returns:

Apart from some specified categories of FBOs, all others are mandatorily required to file Annual Returns as per the law. The categories which do not require filing the FSSAI Annual Return are Restaurants, Fast food joints, Canteens, and Grocery stores.

Mandatory details to be filed for FSSAI Annual Returns:

• Name of FBO
• Address of FBO
• License Number
• Name and details of food products that are manufactured/imported or dealt with.
• Details of countries/ports from where the products are exported.
• Size of the bottle/any other package including bulk package.
• Quantity of product (Metric Tons)
• Details of the selling price (per KG or unit of packaging)
• Quantity of food articles imported or exported

Penalty for contravening the requirement of filing Annual Returns by FBOs:

FBOs will be required to pay a penalty amounting to Rs. 100 per day, if they fail to comply with the requirement of annual return on time i.e., beyond 31st May each year.

In accordance with the revised guidelines of FSSAI, the food business that is involved in the manufacturing of milk and other milk products is not required to file a half-yearly return in Form D2. They are only required to file annual returns for manufacturers in accordance with the revised format which is available on the online portal.

It is also important to note that for every issued license to the Food Business Operator, a separate return shall be filed as per the Regulations.