Food Safety And Standard Authority Of India (FSSAI) launched a Food Safety and Compliance System (FoSCoS) to replace the existing Food Licensing and Registration System (FLRS). Food Safety and Compliance System (FoSCoS) is a cloud-based, upgraded & new food safety compliance online platform. FoSCoS is one point platform that enables the across the country data-driven regulatory approach. FoSCoS offers licensing, registration, inspection, and annual return modules.
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The FoSCoS was launched in phases. In the first phase, it was launched in States /UTs of Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Goa, Delhi, Odisha, Manipur, Chandigarh, Puducherry, and Ladakh with effect from 1st June 2020. It was launched soon in the remaining States /UTs.
Every food business operator(FBO) has to migrate to FoSCoS upon launch of Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) (https://foscos.fssai.gov.in) in their State/UT.
The details for migration to FoSCoS registered FBO is mentioned hereunder
Food Businesses (Non-Manufacturing Kind Business) or Registered Food Businesses (all Kind of Businesses except manufacturing) – The pre-existing Food Licensing and Registration System was functional for the viewing purpose so that licensed or registered food business could view the details of their existing licences/registration in the FLRS and compare the same with the particulars entered in Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS) once it is launched in their State /UTS. The details need to be checked are as under:
- Licence or Registration number,
- Name and Address of the Food Business,
- Kind of Business enrolled,
- Validity
- Category of Licence/ registration
Valid FSSAI Licensed Food Businesses (Manufacturing Kind of Business)- Manufacture for the migration purpose could be further classified as
Manufacturer of standardised product
- After login, they are required to modify their licence (without cost) at the earliest, by selecting the products under manufacturing from the standardised list of products available in FoSCoS. In FLRS, there was a text box approach for writing the name of the products to be manufactured. In FoSCoS, product selection based methodology is adopted for providing ease to the food businesses in the selection of standardised Food Products. Once the special period of modification without cost is over, such modification may not be allowed without cost, and licensing authority may take action on such FBOs as deemed appropriate.
- Secondly, if the renewal of licence gets due and the FBO does not avail the facility of modification( without cost), then the renewal would only be allowed for one year.
- There may be cases where a food business was given the licence for a product that does not have a name or nature, as mentioned in FSSR. If the product does not feature in the list, the food business is required to apply for Proprietary or Novel Food as the case may be (which are under Central Licence)
- They also need to verify the licence’s details entered in FoSCoS and report any anomaly in the details of licence/registration as compared with FLRS to FSSAI
Manufacture of non-standardised products
If the product does not feature in the list, the food business is required to apply for Proprietary or Novel Food as the case may be (which are under Central Licence). But in case of non-specified food, supplements /nutraceuticals, proprietary food, and substances added to food, the licensing/ registration shall be based on a broad category approach, as in FLRS. They also need to verify the details of the licence entered in FoSCoS and report any anomaly in the details of licence/registration as compared with FLRS to FSSAI.
How is FosCOS better than FLRS?
- It is similar in the scheme as to FLRS so that users have convenience in migrating to FoSCoS.
- It is one point stop for all engagement of an FBO with the department as it is offering licensing, registration, inspection, and annual return modules at one platform.
- The major change is the shift of methodology of licensing for manufacturers which now shall be based on the standardised product list. This will help in a quicker grant of licences and eliminate the errors. The Foscos product selection based methodology is only for manufacturers of standardised food products.
- FoSCoS provides the module for filing online Annual Return e. The return for the financial year 2019-2020 may be filed online. Now the FBO can file the online returns which rule out postal delays, need to preserve dispatch/receipt proofs and disputes regarding submission of returns resulting in harassment of food business operators.
- Â Mandatory documents have been rationalised and many paper-based declarations have been replaced with tick-based declarations.
The purpose of FoSCoS is to enhance the ease of doing business for the food business operators and enhance the user experience for users.
Conclusion
We hope that this blog has been helpful for you to understand the FoSCoS , and hope that you can now make an informed decision over the choice of the type of legal structure you wish to establish your business with.
How can Setindiabiz help?
Here, at Setindiabiz, we provide assistance in the registration of all types of businesses. To avail our services of Company registration, request a callback from our startup advisors.
