On 10-3-2026, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India notified the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026. The provisions came into force on 11-3-2026.
Key Points:
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The definition of “Petty Food Manufacturer” has been substituted with the term “Petty Food Business Operator” which will now mean “any food business operator, who manufactures or sells any article of food himself or a petty retailer, street food vendor, hawker, itinerant vendor or temporary stall holder or food truck or distributes foods including in any religious or social gathering, except a caterer or such other food business including small scale or cottage or such other industries relating to food business or tiny food business.”.
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The provisions relating to “Registration of Petty Food Business” have been revised:
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All the Street food vendors, hawkers, food trucks, carts that are registered under the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014 will be considered as registered under the Food Safety and Standards Act,2006.
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The Food Authority can specify turnover threshold or any other classification criteria.
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The provisions relating to “License for food business” have been revised and a new provision has been introduced which says that the Food Authority can specify that eligibility criteria or conditions for commencing or carrying on food businesses and Licensing Authority for various food business.
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The provisions relating to “Validity and Renewal of Registration and License” has been completely revised. The new provisions are:
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The license and certificate granted under these Regulations will be valid until suspended/ cancelled/ surrendered.
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In case any food business operator fails to pay an annual license fee or registration fee or fails to submit the return on or before due date, the license or registration will be suspended.
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The suspended license will be revoked once the fee and the penalty has been paid.
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No food business operator will be allowed to operate during the time the license and registration has been suspended.
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In case of closure of business, the food business operator will have to inform the Licensing Authority or Registering Authority concerned, within 30 days of such closure, in writing and surrender the registration certificate or license.
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In case of surrender, there will be no refund of any fee paid.
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A new Regulation has been introduced relating to “Inspection and Audit” which says:
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Food authority will have to conduct periodical inspections and food safety audits.
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The frequency of inspection and audits will depend on risk factors such as the type of food business, the kind of food handled, past compliance records, third-party audit results, and overall risk level.
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The Commissioner of Food Safety will have to plan periodic inspections in the respective jurisdiction based on risk associated with the food and establishment.
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If directed by the Commissioner of Food Safety or the Food Authority, the food business operator will have to arrange a food safety audit through an approved third-party auditor at their own expense. The operator must allow the auditor access to the premises and provide all required records.
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[Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026, published on 11-3-2026]