Deadline for vendors to get food and drug administration (FDA) licence extended

The deadline for converting an existing food operating licence into a food and drug administration (FDA) licence or registration under the Food Standards and Safety Act (FSSA) at the regulatory authority has been extended to August 4, 2014.

Earlier, the central government had fixed February 4, 2014 as the last date for acquiring or renewing licences and registrations of food business operators (FBOs).

To date, Maharashtra FDA has issued 6.5 lakh licences, registrations or conversions. Across India, there are 5.5 crore FBOs, of which 18 lakh have registered under FSSA. If FBOs including wholesalers, manufacturers, hoteliers and vendors do not procure an FSSA certificate, they will be liable to penal action of up to Rs five lakh fine and six months imprisonment.