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FSSAI unveils new regulatory updates in regard to validity of licences
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Wednesday, 08 April, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi
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The food safety authority has unveiled new regulatory updates regarding the validity and maintenance of operational licences.
Now, the licence and registration certificate granted under the FSS Licensing and Registration Regulations will be ‘valid and subsisting’, unless otherwise suspended, cancelled or surrendered.
The latest rules notified by the FSSAI state that food business licences and registration certificates will now remain valid indefinitely, provided that operators strictly adhere to annual fee and filing requirements.
The most significant shift in the policy is the introduction of a ‘deemed suspended’ status. Under the new rules, any Food Business Operator (FBO) who fails to pay their annual licence or registration fee by the designated deadline will see their legal authorisation suspended automatically.
This same penalty applies to those who fail to submit ‘annual returns’ on time.
During this suspension period, businesses are legally barred from engaging in any food-related activities. The regulations warn that any trade conducted during suspension is a direct violation of the Act, which will attract subsequent legal action and additional penalties.
Licences can only be revoked from suspension once all outstanding fees, returns, and associated penalties are settled in full. This ensures that the responsibility for maintaining a valid status rests entirely on the operator's administrative diligence.
The update also clarifies the formal ‘exit strategy’ for businesses closing their operations and FBOs are now required to notify the Licensing or Registering Authority in writing within 30 days of a business closure.
As per the notified rules, the physical licence or certificate must be formally surrendered to the concerned authority. However, the authorities have maintained a strict ‘no-refund’ policy and any fees paid prior to the surrender of a licence is non-refundable, regardless of how much time remained on the expected operational cycle.
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