A little more than a year before in April 2016, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) made necessary FSSAI registration of all e-commerce companies (or rather, e-tailors) included in the sale of food products and/or operating a food business. The step was taken to certify security and grade of food products sold through online channels and/or stored in warehouses, while also authorizing customers to use the FSSAI mobile app to admonish when reporting food safety concerns.

According to FSSAI Registration Consultant, appropriately, now all e-commerce firms are needed to exhibit appropriate details – such as names, addresses and license numbers of sellers, alimental frameworks, additive, food safety notes as well as wrapping and price details – on their portals so customers are plentifully well-informed of the purchases they make through these online mediums.

Then again, very recently in February 2017, FSSAI mandated the accretion of the FSSAI license for all e-commerce food business operators (FBOs) interlocked in operating food businesses. Such license would have to be obtained from the Central Licensing Authority for the complete supply chain, with last mile delivery accept in a most organized manner so as to not undermine on safety of food products provided.

What can be the consequences of running a food business without acquiring a food license?

As per section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, any person or food business operator (except those exempted under sub-section (2) of this section), himself or through someone on his behalf, connecting in manufacture, sale, storage, dispensation or import of any food article without license, shall be accountable to an incarceration for a term which may expand to six months and also suffer a fine which may expand to five lakh rupees.

As perceived from the tongue of the law expressed in sub-section (2), it is clear that trivial constructers, traders, sellers and retailers need not apply for a food license; they do however, need to be filed with the classified authority.

While the recommendations do not need marketplace models to get a license to function, they do maintain on such e-commerce entities to certify all information exhibited on their platforms and concerning to sellers/brand owners, vendors, manufacturers and their respective food products, is genuine and accurate. Also, clear importance is to be placed on any responsibility resulting from the contravention of the FSSAI Act and relating rules and regulations as the responsibility to be carried by these brand holders, restaurants, vendors or manufacturers.

Are you looking for FSSAI license consultant in Mumbai? BDS Legal does FSSAI Registration Services and offer excellent support to the clients in obtaining FSSAI license.