Food Business Annual Return Filing Date Extended 2022

Considering the representation received from the stakeholder, the Food Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a circular concerning the extension of the timeline for filing of Food Business Annual Return. As per this notification, FSSAI extended the timeline for submission of annual returns for the financial year 2021-2022 till 30^th June 2022. In this regard, the following procedural formalities need to be followed by FBO for filing Food Business Annual Return Filing.

Synopsis of FSSAI Annual Return

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on 2^nd June 2022, has directed the Food Business manufacturers/Exporters to submit their annual return by 30^th June 2022 for the FY 2021-2022 and also informed that the returns submitted only through FoSCoS portal will be considered.

Due Date for Food Business Annual Return

As per clause 2.1.13(1) of Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation, 2011, all licensed Manufacturers and Importers are required to submit their Annual Return in Form D1 by 31st May of every year for the activities conducted during preceding Financial Year. The last date for submission of Annual Return for FY 2021-22 was announced as 31st May 2022. Now, FSSAI has extended the Food Business Annual Return Filing due date to 30^th June 2022.

Eligible FBO for Annual Return Filing

Following Food Business Operator (FBO) need to file the FSSAI annual return online in the Form D1 to the Food Licensing Authority about the category of food products manufactured or sold by them during the preceding financial year:

Food manufacturers
Labelers
Importers
Packers
Every FBO including the ones dealing in milk and milk products.

Exemptions from Filing FSSAI Annual Return

According to the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and registration) Regulations, 2011, the following food businesses are exempted from filing an FSSAI annual return online in India:

Fast food joints
Restaurants
Grocery stores
Canteens

Penalty for Late or Non-submission of Annual Returns

Non-submission of annual return for the food business beyond 31st May of every year will attract a late fee of Rs. 100 per day till the date of submission of FSSAI annual return.

Details Required for Filing FSSAI Annual Return

The FBO needs to provide the following details while filling the FSSAI Annual Return:

Name of the food product manufactured or imported
Size of the bottle, any other package (like PP) or bulk package
Quantity in Metric Ton
The selling price of the food products per Kg or unit of packing
Value of the Food Product
Imported quantity in Kg
The list of details of countries or ports where the food products are imported
Rate per unit or per Kg of packing cost, insurance, and freight (C.I.F) free on board. / F.O.B.

Online Procedure for Annual Return Filing for FY 2021-2022

The revised format of Annual Return has already been incorporated in Food Safety Compliance System (FOSCOS) and the window for return filing for FY 2021-2022 has opened with effect from 1^st, April 2022 onwards. The FOB needs to login into Food Safety and Compliance System (FoSCoS). The applicant needs to provide all the mandatory details in Form D1. Upon finalizing the details, the FBO can submit the details online to the licensing authority within the respective jurisdiction. The details of the licensing authority can be accessed through the official website of the FSSAI. Note: Please note that FSSAI doesn’t acknowledge confirming the successful submission of the returns.