The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has announced grace period for food businesses, which are applying for renewal of licences or registration, set to expire during the period of nationwide lockdown amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The FSSAI, in this regard, has issued an order saying that until June 30, 2020, the FBOs (Food Business Operators) would be allowed to function and not be charged late fees.

According to the order, the FBOs whose licence or registration has expired during the period of March 22, 2020, to May 31, 2020, are given grace period to apply for renewal of the licence or registration till June 30, 2020, without any late fee.

“In the interim period, the FSSAI licence or registration shall be deemed to be valid,” the order stated.

Reacting to the decision by FSSAI, Prabodh Halde, chairman, AIFPA, Maharashtra, said, “It’s a good decision to give grace period to FBOs, as food comes under the essential commodities and it’s important to continued supply of food to consumers. We also welcome the move and appeal to the FBOs to adhere with the FSSAI guidelines for safety in the light of Covid-19 pandemic.”

Meanwhile, the FSSAI has also decided to revoke its earlier decision to allow FBOs in J&K and Ladakh to continue operations in the wake of no Internet services in the region. The order in this regards was given last year in October saying that until Internet services resume, the FBOs were allowed to operate if their licences or registration were expired by August 2019.

Now the Internet services were resumed, therefore the said order ceases to be in effect, says the apex food regulator. However, since there is lockdown going on across the country, the FBOs of J&K and Ladakh were also given grace period till June 30 to apply for renewal of their licences.