The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has further extended the timeline for the renewal and new application of licensing or registration of Food Business Operators (FBOs) and they can apply for changes until December 31, 2020.

Providing some relaxation to FBOs who are unable to renew an application due to the ongoing pandemic Covid-19, which forced lockdown upon the country, the FSSAI has pushed further the grace period for applying for renewal of licence or registration expired or expiring from August 1 to December 31, 2020.

The extension is given until December 31 and the FBOs can renew their licence or registration without thinking of a penalty during this period. Previously, the grace period was given until July 31 for FBOs to renew their licences/registration, which have expired or were about to expire during the period - March 22 to June 30.

The FSSAI, in this regard, issued an order stating that after reviewing the situation it has been decided to extend the grace period till December 31 for applying for renewal of licences/registration for those FBOs whose licences/registration are expiring in the period.

“All such FBOs are allowed to apply for renewal of their licences/registration till December 31, 2020, without any late fee as per clause 2.1.7(4) of the FSS (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations 2011. The order will apply prospectively,” the order says while adding that no claim of refund of late fee paid of an already applied renewal application shall be admissible while the existing FSSAI licence/registration shall be deemed valid in the interim.