To control and prevent the food business, the Government of India created the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 The Food Safety and Standard Act of 2006 consists of legislation that regulate the production, distribution, storage, and import of food products into the nation. However, it would be wise to make sure that the operator of the food business complies with all necessary requirements.

Food safety ensures that food is wholesome, uncontaminated, and free of illnesses including poisoning and stomach problems, among others. The Food Safety and Standard Act 2006 was passed to guarantee the purity of food and packaged food goods. It has created the rules governing food safety and controls the import, manufacture, sale, and distribution of food products.

What are Food Safety Annual Returns?

During the process of getting the License is ongoing in the food licencing department, all License Holders declare specific facts such as the entity's daily production capacity, its SKU details, etc. The Food Safety and Standard Authority of India requires that Food Business Operators (FBO) file an FSSAI Annual Return for the just-completed fiscal year in order to verify that the information they have provided is accurate.

Consequently, it may be claimed that the Food Business Operator needs more than just a food licence (FBO). Both FSSAI compliance requirements and the FSSAI Annual Return filing must be submitted. The Food Business Operator must submit the Annual Return within the allotted time frame to avoid fines (FBO).

Types Of Annual Return:
 

1. FSSAI Form D1:
 

FSSAI Form D1 filing is required for food business units that are involved in manufacturing, importing, labelling, packing, re-labelling, and re-packaging. Irrespective of the type of manufacturing, they are involved in, FBOs must use the form that has been recommended by the Food Safety Commissioner.

Every year, filing FSSAI annual return (Form D1) is mandatory by May 31st at the latest. Depending on the kinds of food goods the FBO sold in the prior fiscal year, the form is submitted to the licencing authority.

2. FSSAI Form D2:
 

Not every owner or operator of a food business is qualified to file Form D2, which is submitted every six months. Instead, those with an FSSAI licence who work in the production or distribution of milk or milk products can submit Form D2. Every financial year, from 1 April to 30 September and from 1 October to 31 March, Form D2 is filled out.

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

The key requirements listed below are what the food inspection authority must verify for each food article:-

• Every food additive or processing tool must comply with the Act and regulations.
• The food product contains toxins, pollutants, or hazardous compounds that could be damaging to human health.
• Keep any pesticides or insecticides out of an article.
• Additionally, the food item needs to be appropriately labelled and labelled.
• The Food Safety Control System must be followed by the food authority. The successful implementation of food safety and standards is the responsibility of the Commissioner chosen by a state government.

Benefits of FSSAI Annual Compliance
 

Reputation:  An entity that is registered in accordance with the FSSAI criteria and maintains annual compliance will improve the company's or entity's reputation in general. An organisation that adheres to the guidelines for annual compliance will be trusted by the general public.

Increase in Brand Value: A business with an FSSAI licence would have a better reputation with customers. In addition to this, the entity would derive extra value.

More Government Support: Another benefit of this form of annual compliance is more government support for the entities that comply with the requirements.

Who Should File the FSSAI Annual Return?
 

• Every FBO with a yearly business turnover of Rs. 12 lakhs or more

• FSSAI Annual returns must be submitted by all business owners that sell, import, export, manufacture, distribute, store, handle, or transport any form of food production.
• The owner/ proprietor of a business that produces and distributes milk is required to submit returns every six months.

What are the Advantages of Filing an Indian FSSAI Annual Return?
 

Following are just a few of the many advantages of filing FSSAI annual returns in India:-

Sustain Reputation:
 

The entire reputation of the business/entity would be sustained as well as comparatively improved by annual compliance by an establishment or individual registered under the regulations of FSSAI. It will make it possible for the general public to have faith in an organisation that upholds the annual compliance obligations set forth by the Indian government.

Increase In Brand Value:
 

Any business that has an FSSAI licence and complies with the other compliances will gain more respect from customers. Along with these advantages, the value gained by the entity would be greater in comparison to other market players that are not compliant.

Gets Government Support
 

The ability to receive greater government help for organisations that adhere to the FSSAI criteria is another benefit of this type of annual compliance.

FSSAI Annual Return Filing Requires the Following Information:
 

The FSSAI Annual Return Form must include the information listed below, which is as follows:-

• Name of the manufactured, imported, exported, or handled food product.
• Sizes of bottles, cans, and other packages
• The amount in metric tonnes,
• Food product value
• The amount being imported or exported in kg,
• Selling price per kilogramme or per unit of packing
• The names of the nations to which food exports are made,
• CIF/FOB rate per unit or kilogramme of packing
• The Last file FSSAI Annual Returns.

How to file FSSAI Annual Return in India?
 

The owner of a food business may submit their FSSAI yearly return whenever it is most convenient for them. They can choose the procedure listed below:

• For the quarterly annual report, the only merchant has the option of using an online method.
   
• The owner of a food business that processes milk or milk products is required to submit a Form D-2 return every six months. The food company operator must then physically deliver it to the appropriate Central or State Licensing Authority within one month of the end of the term, which runs from 1st April to 30th September and from October 1 to March 31 of the fiscal year.
   
• Food industry producers and importers are required to submit an annual return (Form D-1). They must then physically submit it to the appropriate Central or State Licensing Authority on or before May 1st of each year for each food class that they operated in the preceding fiscal year.

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

The following are the details of the FSSAI Annual Return filing deadlines:-

Penalty for Delay Filing of Annual Returns
 

According to Section 2.1.13 (3) of the Food Safety and Standard (Licensing and Registration) Regulations, 2011[1,] if a company doesn't submit its annual return within the required time period, a fine of Rs. 100 will be assessed each day up until the date the annual return isn't submitted.

Conclusion: 
 

Consumers can be assured that a food business is operating in accordance with FSSAI regulations thanks to the FSSAI licence. The assurance of one's safety and well-being is provided by an FSSAI licence. As a result, the Food Business Operators (FBO) are required to submit the Annual FSSAI Return to the relevant food authorities. The FSSAI Annual Return filing process can occasionally be laborious and time-consuming. You take assistance from our knowledgeable staff at Online Legal India with the Annual FSSAI Return filing process. With the FSSAI Annual Return procedure, our experts will support you and make sure your task is successfully finished.