All of the operations details of the business have to be provided while filing all the annual returns related to the business's operations, according to FSSAI or the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Thus, it is somewhat a legal requirement for the Food Business Operators or FBOs and also as proof to show that their operation is transparent. Annual Return Filing is a step that compels food businesses to stick to stringent standards of FSSAI and shows its commitment toward public health and safety.
Why FSSAI Annual Return Filing is important ?
FSSAI Annual Return Filing is utilized for the following purposes.
How to File FSSAI Annual Return Online?
The ease in this process comes when online filing is done with an FSSAI portal by keeping the user interface simple and trouble-free. So here's the step-by-step process for FBOs,
1. Fill in the business information:
2. Provide License/Registration No.
3. Choose the Type of Return:
Typically required for food manufacturing, processing, packaging, and imported food businesses
Form D2
Typically required for e-commerce, retail, and other companies selling on a platform, like an e-commerce platform, and through direct sales in physical shops or otherwise.
• Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to use one of several additional forms or filing, so choose your return form based on what applies to you.
4. State Selection:
• Select the state in which your business is located. This enables FSSAI to categorize returns based on states, and it also enables the state to monitor food safety at the local level.
5. Verification Code:
• Enter the security verification code displayed on the screen to ensure that the submission is done by a valid user only not any robot or bot.
6. Agreement to Terms and Conditions:
• It will select the checkbox of terms and conditions. In addition to this, it will utilize your contact information for delivering the OTP as well as the FSSAI updation.
7. Post-Submission:
• After submitting it retain the photostat of the receipt for future reference at audit and FSSAI's scrutiny.
FSSAI Annual Return Filing document requirement:
Only if you have all the relevant documents you could get the best, flawless, and trouble-free filing process. As for most, one would need the following documents
1. FSSAI License or Registration Certificate:
• License number or registration number; is issued on the license or registration certificate; if newly registered, the same is issued on the certificate, below the business name, a current certificate with the name of an existing business and its address existing at present.
2. Production or Sales Data:
Quantities and Values of Products manufactured/Imported sold, an indication will also be made, using units in the order of one metric ton in such products with the values that these may possess, indicated against them, enabling it to ascertain its extent in operations.
• Procurement Sources: Make note if the raw material that you are importing or sourcing involves materials especially sourced from some known procurement sources. Importing materials entails a few more paperwork procedures to deal with and requires fresh, accurate information.
• Invoices or Sales Records: Another best practice advice in this stage is to have all invoices or sales records for the whole year with you, and those will do well in establishing proof for your returns, especially in clarifying the sales concerning the said products.
3. Other Business-specific Paperworks:
• In the case of perishable or high-risk food products like dairy and meat, there might be a need for some other supporting documents. Hygiene reports or certificates by authorities would be an example of the same.
• Export Data: If the company is exporting, then it would be expected to provide information on food products exported, in terms of quantity and the country they are being exported to.
All these records are maintained in an organized manner and easily accessible making filing easy and more likely to be accurate.
Benefits of FSSAI Annual Return Filing:
In return, the annual return has plenty of benefits, not only at the regulatory level but also at the business prospect level as well.
Legal Compliance:
Compliances with FSSAI standards save your business against legal action and protect your business reputation in the marketplace.
•Streamlining fssai food license Renewal Process
Submission and return within the prescribed time frame ensures that the record remains clean. FSSAI license renewal will not be as chaotic and will ensure that business operations continue.
Food safety compliance shows accountability and can even assure from the customers' side toward the products. If the customers trust, they tend to be very loyal to the brand, and a good brand image reflects a positive portrayal.
Compliant companies will have more prospects to trade with large retailers and distributors. In addition, this same concept will increase the chances of trading with such companies in case of tenders and future markets.
•Higher Food Safety Standards:
All such data collected in the annual return helps FSSAI to keep a check on the industry and issues guidelines that help all kinds of businesses and the consumer community. Your business plays its role in developing new policies related to food safety if it contributes to that collected data.
Penalty against Non-Compliance on FSSAI Annual Return Filing
Penalty for non-compliance regarding FSSAI annual filing can be very extreme with the following:
1. Financial Penalty:
• Late filing invites daily penalties of up to ₹ 100 that pile-up, leading to huge financial losses.
2. Suspension of license or Cancellation:
• Non-use for more than a year or failure to file an annual return can have the license suspended or canceled and not be allowed to work until further notice, i.e., stoppage of business until redressed
3. Vandalism of Reputations:
• Non-compliant businesses risk losing a bad reputation to consumers as well as partners and suppliers. Loss of reputation can bleed into sales and slow down the growth rate.
4. Legal Actions:
• FSSAI can file cases against businesses that have a habit of not filing their compliance directives. That would expose them to the courtroom and increase operational risk.
How to Avoid Fines?
• Anniversary: Remind yourself every 31st May to file before a date.
• Experts: If your return filing requires an expert then seek for hire of a compliance consultant.
• Check your Data once again: Ensure the accuracy as you input all details in the return. It raises discrepancies against which you'll face queries from law enforcement authorities as pretty embarrassing.
1. Be ahead of the deadline by at least a day. Ready all your documents a bit earlier to save you from having the hassle.
2. Accuracy Check: Ensure the amounts and quantities reflect as indicated in your records or financial statements.
3. Error-Free Compliance Checklist: Everything is correct - mobile number, email, and all state information.
4. Do You Need Help? For significant or complex ventures, professional help does make all the difference.