FSSAI, the apex food regulator, has written to the state Food Safety Commissioners to speed up the processing of applications for renewal of licences. The FSSAI has issued an advisory in this regard asking the commissioners, not to keep the applications pending.

“It is advised that no application for renewal of licence should be kept pending for proceeding regarding filing of returns. Such licences may be duly renewed and in case of any default/contravention by FBO, appropriate penal action may be initiated by the concerned licensing authority,” the advisory reads.

The matter was related to the complaints received by the FSSAI that some Central and state licensing authorities keep renewal of licence applications pending due to non-confirmation of receipt of annual returns against that particular FBO.

In such cases, the state food authorities raise queries for ascertaining the status and compliance was insisted before processing the renewal application, which was a lengthy and time consuming process and led to ‘inordinate delays’ in renewal of licences.

FSSAI, in its statement, says that the matter has been reviewed and it has been decided that while the compliance with all the conditions of the existing licence were to be ensured by the FBOs, but the practice of holding the renewal application of licence for ensuring the filing of returns may not be prudent and leads to unnecessary delays and increase pendency.

“Queries regarding the status of filing of returns can be done separately or by way of improvement notices while ensuring grant of renewal of licence within the stipulated time-frame under the provisions of the FSS Regulations,” the advisory reads.