New Delhi, May 16, 2025 — The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a new directive requiring all Food Business Operators (FBOs) whose licenses or registrations expired during the financial year 2024-25 to submit a mandatory Closure Report. The move is aimed at tightening compliance and maintaining traceability in India’s food safety system.
According to the order, FBOs must confirm that no food business activity is being carried out under expired FSSAI licenses. If operations are ongoing, businesses must provide proof of a new license or registration. Additionally, those not renewing their licenses are required to state specific reasons for the decision.
The new regulation is applicable to all future cases as well. Once a license expires, the FBO will be required to file a report through the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) portal. This includes explaining why the business is shutting down or why the license is not being renewed.
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The FSSAI emphasized that running a food business under an expired license violates Section 31 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Offenders could face penalties of up to ₹10 lakh under Section 63 of the Act.
To streamline communication, FSSAI is also sending automated email alerts titled ‘Notice for closure of food business’ to operators whose licenses have lapsed. Businesses are advised to ensure that their contact information on the FoSCoS portal is current in order to receive such notifications.
A user manual to guide businesses on submitting non-renewal reasons through the portal has been included with the order. This initiative is part of FSSAI’s broader compliance strategy, reinforcing accountability across the food industry.
The circular was signed and approved by Dr. Satyen Kumar Panda, Executive Director (Compliance Strategy), and circulated to food business operators, safety officers, regional commissioners, and IT divisions.
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As FSSAI tightens enforcement, the focus is clearly shifting toward improving transparency in food licensing — an important step for public health and consumer safety in a rapidly growing food business environment.
