All receipts/cash memos/bills, etc. must include the FSSAI number starting October 1st

Every food business operator must obtain an FSSAI licence or registration prior to starting a food business, according to Section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006. The FSSAI License and Registration number is required for the FSS Act 2006 and its Rules and Regulations to be implemented.

The food industry ecosystem is vast, and any food business operator’s FSSAI number is not readily visible or accessible to consumers or service recipients. A robust consumer grievance system, via which service/product recipients can file a complaint for remedy, is essential to any legitimate regulatory structure. However, if he does not have access to the FSSAI number, expecting him to file a complaint with complete coordinates is a tall order. Even authorities have difficulty tracing the source of a complaint and responding quickly with approximate addresses. Without a unique location code, which in the case of food safety is the FSSAI number, no database can be constructed.

Currently, the FSSAI number must be placed on packaged food labels, however this is a problem for businesses such as restaurants, mithai shops, caterers, and even retail stores. In the case of restaurants, the FSS (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations are being changed to require the installation of ‘Food Safety Display Boards’ at all times in conspicuous locations. However, there is no system for consumers to find out the service/product provider’s FSSAI number.

With the consent of the Food Authority, all food firms must now declare their 14-digit FSSAI License or Registration number on cash receipts, purchase invoices, cash memos, bills, and other documents. When a business issues two transaction documents, such as a transport challan/bill and an invoice, the FSSA[ number must appear on both forms. Only the GST e-way bill and other government documents generated by a computer system will be exempt.

It will give consumers access to information on a specific food business that is publicly available on the FSSAI‘s websites. Consumers can access information about FSSAI License or Registration by entering the 14-digit FSSA[ License/Registration number on the FSSAI webpage and the ‘Food Safety Connect’ app.

A consumer can use the FSSAI number to file an online complaint against a specific food business if they have a complaint. Due to a lack of particular information, many issues go unresolved.

Mentioning the FSSAI number will increase overall FSSAI knowledge. It indicates non-compliance or non-registration/licensing by the food industry if it is not specified. The rule is expected to increase public demand and pressure on all FBOs to get an FSSAI licence or registration.

Even in the case of pre-packaged foods that have the manufacturer’s FSSAI number printed on the package, there is a lack of a track and trace mechanism that allows the path of the package from the manufacturer to the customer to be tracked. The invoice aids in the establishment of this trail. The inclusion of the FSSAI number will aid in increasing food product traceability.

To Read the Official Order Download PDF Given Below :