KNOW ALL ABOUT FSSAI ANNUAL RETURN

OVERVIEW:

The Government of India has introduced the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 with the motive to regulate and prevent the food industry. The Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006, consist of laws that direct the sale, manufacturing, storage, distribution, and import of food items within the country. However, it would be good to ensure that all the proper criteria and compliances are duly fulfilled by the food business operator.

The term food safety guarantees that food is healthy and clean and is free from diseases like stomach aches, poisoning, etc. To ensure the purity of food and packed food items the Food Safety and Standard Act, 2006 was enacted. It has framed the food safety laws and regulates the food industry relating to manufacturing, sale, storage, distribution, and import.

TYPES OF ANNUAL RETURN:

1. FSSAI Form D1:

Food business units involved in manufacturing, importing, labeling, packing, re-labeling, and re-packing needs to file FSSAI Form D1 which is mandatory for them. The form is prescribed by the Food Safety Commissioner and is a mandatory for the FBOs irrespective of the production they are involved in.

The FSSAI annual return-Form D1 should be filed on or before 31st May of every fiscal year. The form is filed with the Licensing Authority depending upon the type of food products sold by the FBO in the preceding financial year.

2. FSSAI Form D2:

Form D2 is filed half-yearly and not every food business operator is eligible to file Form D2. Instead, FSSAI license holders who are involved in the manufacturing and distribution of milk or milk products can file Form D2. Form D2 is filled from 1st April to 30th September and from 1st October to 31st March of every financial year.

What are the Essentials that are required to be kept in Mind while Preparing the Food Products?

Following are the key essential that the Food Inspection authority shall confirm for every food Article:-

• All Food substance or processing aid should be in line with the Act and regulations.
• Any harmful substances, pollutants,or any toxin that may cause harm to human health is present in the food product.
• Avoidance of any insecticides or pesticides in an article.
• Also,the food item should be marked and labeled properly.
• The food authority needs to observe the Food Safety Control System. The Commissioner appointed by a state government is responsible for the successful application of food safety and standards.

Who Should File the FSSAI Annual Return?

• Every FBO who has a business turnover similar to or more than Rs. 12 Lakhs
• Every business operator selling, importing, exporting, manufacturing, distributing, storing, handling/transporting any type of food product has to file FSSAI Annual return
• The business operator involved in the distribution and manufacturing of milk has to file half yearly returns.

What are the Benefits of Complying with FSSAI Annual Return in India?

There are numerous benefits of complying with FSSAI Annual Returns in India, few of them are given below:-

Sustain Reputation

Annual Compliance by an establishment or individual which is registered under the requirements of FSSAI would sustain as well as comparatively increases the overall reputation of the company/entity. It will enable the public to trust an entity which complies with the obligations related to annual compliance as prescribed by the Government of India.

Increase In Brand Value

Any company will concede more reputation in the eyes of consumers that has FSSAI license and complies with the rest of the compliances. Along with such benefits, the value derived by the entity would be more in comparative to the Non complaint entities in the market.

Gets Government Support

Another benefit from this form of annual compliance enables more government support for the entities that comply with the FSSAI requirements.

Details are required for Filing FSSAI Annual Return:

The below-mentioned details are required to be included in the FSSAI Annual Return Form, which are as Follows:-

• Food product name which is being manufactured, exported, imported, or handled.
• Bottle size, can size or size of any other package,
• Quantity in the metric ton,
• Value of Food product
• Quantity in Kgs which is being exported or imported,
• Selling price per unit of packaging or per kg
• Name of the countries where food products are exported,
• Rate per unit or kg of packaging CIF/FOB
• Mandatory Last FSSAI Annual Returns

How to file FSSAI Annual Return in India?

• The food Business operator can file for FSSAI annual return as per their convenience. They can opt for the below-mentioned process-
• The Only Merchant can opt for an online system for Quarterly annual report.
• The Food business operator processing milk or milk products shall file half yearly return in Form D-2. Subsequently, the food business operator shall submit it physically to the respective Central or State Licensing Authority for the period starts from 1st April to 30th September and 1st October to 31st March of every financial year in a month from the end of the period.
• Manufacturers and Importers dealing in the food business have to file an annual return (Form D-1). Subsequently, they shall submit it physically to the respective Central or state licensing Authority on or before the starting of 31st May of every year for every food class operated by him during the previous financial year.

What is the Due Date for Filing the FSSAI Annual Return?

The due date for filing the FSSAI Annual Return are given below, which are as follows:-

Note- All food business operators shall file a separate return for every license issued under the regulations, regardless of whether the same food business operator carries more than 1 food license.

Penalty for Late filing of FSSAI Annual Return:

According to Section 2.1.13 (3) of FSS (Licensing and Registration) Regulations, 2011, if the food business administrators don't record the return within the prescribed period, at that point a fine of Rs 100 will be forced on them consistently and will continue expanding if the default proceeds.